CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 21: Jason Sangha of the Thunder celebrates with Daniel Sams of the Thunder after scoring his half century during the Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars Big Bash League Match at Manuka Oval on December 21, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
Only months after claiming a maiden T20 World Cup victory in Abu Dhabi, Australia will look to defend their crown on home soil later this year.
Beginning in October, Australia will kick off a busy summer of cricket by hosting the tournament for the first time. Due to COVID interferences in previous years, a unique schedule means the tournament will be contested in consecutive years.
Discounting injuries, Australia is likely to have the World Cup-winning XI from Abu Dhabi available again for selection.
We look at some of the best performers from this year's BBL season who are pressing their claims to be included in the squad come October 13.
Runs: 495 | Average: 61.88 | Strike rate: 156.12 | High Score: 127
Ben McDermott has taken BBL|11 by storm so far this season.
The hard-hitting Tasmanian became the first player in BBL history to hit back-to-back centuries after blistering knocks against the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades.
The first of which came in a thrilling run chase where he tallied 110* off 60 balls to chase down the 175 run total with nine balls to spare. The 27-year-old then backed that effort up two nights later with what Australian great Andrew Symonds described as "The best Big Bash innings that's ever been played".
McDermott tallied 127 off just 65 deliveries, including nine sixes, in leading Hobart to a total of 5-206.
If included in the World Cup squad this year, the right-hander would provide flexibility being able to open or bat in the middle order.
Runs: 327 | Average: 36.33 | Strike rate: 145.33 | High score: 99*
After a breakout tournament last season, Phillipe has put together another strong season for the Sixers.
Opening the batting for Sydney, Phillipe has been one of the most dynamic batsmen in the league, with a strike rate of 145.33. The 24-year-old has been ultra-consistent, notching up three 50's so far this season and falling just short of a century against the Melbourne Stars to finish on 99*.
In addition to his batting, Phillipe has also been sharp behind the stumps with the gloves. The West Australian has the equal most dismissals with thirteen.
Phillipe could provide Australia with another opening option, along with being able to fill a void in the lower-order while also taking the gloves when required.
Runs: 329 | Average: 65.80 | Strike rate: 132.66 | High score: 91
If Australia is looking ahead to the future and wanting to blood some young talent, Jason Sangha would be hard to look past.
The 22-year-old has been highly touted ever since captaining Australia in the Under-19 World Cup in 2018. Sangha has taken his chance across several spots in the Thunder's batting order, compiling the third most runs with 329.
Along with his batting, Sangha provides some handy overs when called upon with the ball as a wrist spin bowler and has picked up three wickets this season.
If included in the national squad, it might be more of a developmental and learning inclusion given the abundance of middle-order batsmen that Australia have at their disposal.
Runs: 162 | Average: 27 | Wickets: 15 | Bowling average: 21.53
Sams has developed into one of the premier all-rounders in the BBL in recent years.
The Sydney Thunder product was a part of the World Cup-winning squad last year but didn't feature in any of the matches during the tournament.
Fast-forward a year and Sams could be a valuable commodity for the Australian side when they weigh up team balance going into the tournament.
So far in BBL|11 Sams has contributed well with bat and ball. His innings against the Renegades certainly garnered attention when he bludgeoned 98* off 44 balls, including eight sixes.
The left-arm seamer also sits seventh for most wickets taken with 15.
Wickets: 17 | Average: 11.41 | Economy rate: 6.93 | Best Bowling: 4/32
A real bolter this season, Hayden Kerr has grabbed an opportunity in a strong Sydney Sixers side with both hands.
The all-rounder has been terrific with ball in hand this season while his batting has yet to reach the same heights. The left-arm quick has taken 17 wickets at an impressive average of just 11.41. Just as impressive is his economy rate of 6.93, proving he is very reliable option throughout an innings.
His best figures of 4\32 came against the top of the table Perth Scorchers.
Kerr hasn't had much opportunity to show his prowess with the bat yet, facing just 25 deliveries so far this season.
Like Sangha, It would be unlikely to see Kerr representing Australia in the World Cup given the unbelievable bowling depth in the country at the moment. Nevertheless, Kerr has put forward a Terrific BBL11 campaign so far.