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ricket Australia has announced Big Bash League (BBL) clubs will be allowed to add a third international player in their playing XI for the upcoming season.

The announcement means clubs will now be able to add an optional 19th ‘marquee’ player to their rosters, with Cricket Australia set to pay for the players out of a pool of money in addition to each club’s $1.86 million salary cap.

The clubs, however, have not been given much time to add the extra players, with Cricket Australia announcing the BBL clubs have until the end of the week due to government exemptions allowing those players to enter Australia.

This rule change will reportedly be in effect for the next two BBL seasons, before a review will be undertaken to decide on the long-term potential for the clubs to have three international players.

The move is reportedly in an effort to help strengthen Cricket Australia’s broadcast partnership with Seven, who was hoping the move would be made following concerns about losing several Australian international stars from the league due to clashes with the national team schedule and the BBL.

In the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), which is set to begin its season on Sunday, the Sydney Sixers have announced a three-year partnership with Humm, with the buy now, pay later fintech set to become a principal partner.

The deal covers both the men’s and women’s Big Bash League teams and will see Humm feature with front of shirt branding for the WBBL team, as well as signage, digital rights and match-day activations, ahead of the WBBL season start on Sunday.

Sixers general manager, Jodie Hawkins, said the club was excited to sign on a new principal partner during the global pandemic.

“The Sydney Sixers are one of the country’s premier sporting clubs who pride themselves on being big and bold and we see some great synergies in that regard with Humm,” Hawkins said.

“Women’s cricket is absolutely thriving off the back of the women’s world cup earlier this year and we saw record numbers of girls signing up to play cricket in September.

“We will work alongside Humm to continue to inspire young girls and boys to want to watch and play cricket,” she said.

Humm CEO, Rebecca James, said the two organisations share the same values.

“Humm is absolutely thrilled to be the principal partner of the Sixers and supporting the WBBL,” James said.

“It’s a perfect partnership of the premier women’s team in the Big Bash League, known for its big-hitting, and a buy now, pay later provider also specialising in going big, facilitating purchases up to $30,000.

“We are proud to be associated with a franchise synonymous with success, teamwork and cultivating talent, all values that we share at Humm.

“Importantly, these shared values will allow both of us to maximise opportunities at the intersection of commerce and sports,” she said.