With a T20 World Cup in Australia less than a year away, this year’s Big Bash League (BBL) represents an excellent opportunity for English players to prove themselves in the same conditions and environment as the England side will encounter in 10 months time.

With the first 20 matches of the 2019/20 BBL season done and dusted, here’s how the English cohort of players have fared so far?

Phil Salt – Adelaide Strikers

2019 was somewhat of a breakout year for Phil Salt. As well as receiving his maiden England call-up in May, Salt has played in the Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League, Abu Dhabi T10 and now the BBL. He’s not yet lit the tournament up in the style T20 Blast followers know he’s capable of but his 26-ball 54 against the Melbourne Renegades showed a glimpse of his potential.

Tom Banton – Brisbane Heat

One of the breakout players of 2019, Tom Banton has quickly established himself as one of the most highly sought after T20 openers in franchise cricket. Like Salt, Banton has had one standout performance to date, a quickfire 64 in defeat to the Melbourne Stars. His strike-rate of 164.15 is among the highest in the competition so far.

Harry Gurney – Melbourne Renegades

It’s not quite gone to plan for Harry Gurney at the Melbourne Renegades so far this season. One of their star performers in their victorious campaign last year, Gurney, normally so frugal in T20 cricket is currently going at more than 10 runs an over. He was on the receiving end of a Mitchell Marsh onslaught in Renegades’ defeat to Perth Scorchers, conceding 21 runs off five balls against the Australia all-rounder in the last over of the Scorchers innings.

Richard Gleeson – Melbourne Renegades

Gurney’s Renegades teammate Richard Gleeson isn’t faring much better. In only his second franchise league appearance – he turned out for the Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League three years ago – Gleeson has been more expensive than Gurney and his two wickets have come at the cost of 150 runs.

Liam Livingstone – Perth Scorchers

While his average of 22.40 might not stand out, his strike-rate of 177.77 definitely does. Seemingly not overly concerned with losing his wicket, Liam Livingstone’s quickfire bursts at the top of the order have helped the Scorchers get off to some rapid starts. However, with the Scorchers languishing in sixth place in the table they could perhaps do with Livingstone lasting more than the 12.6 balls he’s currently averaging per dismissal.

Chris Jordan – Perth Scorchers

Chris Jordan enjoyed a fine 2019 in T20 cricket and may well end up in England’s squad for next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia. The competition for selection is fierce, but if Jordan continues his current form he’ll be in with a real chance of going on the plane. Only four bowlers have taken more wickets than Jordan so far in the BBL and he has lit up the tournament with a string of characteristically eye-catching pieces of fielding.

Tom Curran – Sydney Sixers

Tom Curran loves the BBL. One of the standout players in the 2018/19 season, Curran has been equally as impressive this time around. The leading overseas wicket-taker in the competition, it’s been with the bat that Curran has demonstrated the extent of his potential value to the England T20I set-up. His strike-rate of 178 is the fifth highest in the competition and his performance in the Sixers’ super over victory in the Sydney derby was exceptional. Coming in with 40 required off the last 3.3 overs, Curran blasted 35 off 17 balls to tie the game for the Sixers. He subsequently defended 16 in the super over to hand his side an important win.

James Vince – Sydney Sixers

Glorious from James Vincepic.twitter.com/CVMEMTY6nF

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) January 2, 2020

James Vince has enjoyed a decent if not spectacular start to this season’s BBL. While he is yet to pass 50, his average of 26.60 is more than serviceable and his 41 in their recent win over Melbourne Renegades earnt him a Player of the Match award.

Alex Hales – Sydney Thunder

As good a T20 batsman Alex Hales is, you’d think it would take an extraordinary turn of events for Hales to force his way into England’s T20 World Cup plans given not only the number of available alternatives but Hales’ off-field misdemeanours in the run up to the 2019 World Cup. His 68 against the Renegades in the third game of the tournament was the highlight of his competition so far, leading the way in his side’s successful pursuit of 170. He has passed 15 just once in the subsequent four games but with a batsman of Hales’ quality you’d expect him to be back in the runs again before long.