On Monday, Australia batsman Peter Handscomb was released from the Ashes squad to play for the Big Bash franchise Melbourne Stars in the clash against Perth Scorchers on Boxing Day.
Handscomb was dropped from the Australia squad for the third Test at WACA in Perth. He had been replaced all-rounder Mitchell Marsh who grabbed the chance with both hands and posted his maiden Test ton in Perth against England.
The right-hander joins the Melbourne Stars squad as a replacement for former England star Kevin Pietersen - who has returned home to the United Kingdom for Christmas.
The 26-year-old Handscomb will rejoin the Australian squad on Day 3 of the fourth Test. The 26-year old's next chance to don the coveted Baggy Green is likely to come on March 1, when Australia start a four-Test series in South Africa.
Squad:
Melbourne Stars: John Hastings (C), Michael Beer, Scott Boland, Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Dan Worrall, Luke Wright, Adam Zampa.
(With IANS Inputs)
