Josh Hazlewood Returns To Play As Sydney Sixers Rope Him In For Remainder of BBL

Josh Hazlewood had returned to competitive cricket after regaining full fitness, joining the Sydney Sixers for the remainder of the Big Bash League.

Australia’s premier fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has regained full fitness ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and is set to make his return to competitive cricket. The senior pacer has joined the Sydney Sixers for the remainder of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025–26 season as a supplementary contracted player and will be available for the rest of the tournament.

Confirming the development, the Sydney Sixers welcomed Hazlewood back to the franchise through a social media post.

“We’re excited to welcome back Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood as a supplementary contracted player for KFC BBL 15,” the Sydney Sixers wrote on their social media platform.

Hazlewood’s return comes as a timely boost for both the Sixers and the Australian team, with the fast bowler eyeing rhythm and match fitness ahead of the T20 World Cup, where Australia will aim to defend their title in the subcontinent.

Josh Hazlewood On Supplementary Contract

In the Big Bash League, a supplementary contract allows franchises to sign players who are contracted with Cricket Australia but may have limited availability due to national duties. This system enables BBL teams to secure elite Australian players without using a slot from their primary 18-man squad or taking a significant hit on the salary cap for players who may not feature in many matches.

Josh Hazlewood remains one of the leading fast bowlers in world cricket, known for his accuracy, bounce, and consistency across all three formats. His presence is highly valued wherever he plays. However, injuries have been a recurring concern during his career.

During the recent Ashes Test series, Hazlewood was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. While recovering, he also suffered an Achilles issue, which further delayed his return to action. His comeback in the BBL has therefore come as a major relief for fans and team management alike.

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Hazlewood’s inclusion is expected to significantly strengthen the Sydney Sixers’ squad, especially with Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith also likely to join the side following the Sydney Test. Notably, Hazlewood has not featured in the Big Bash League since 2019 and has never represented any franchise other than the Sydney Sixers. In his last BBL appearance, he played just one match.

The experienced pacer has also been named in Australia’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, underlining his importance to the national setup as he makes his return to full fitness and competitive cricket.