Cricket fans saddened by Scott Boland news amid huge reveal about Sam Konstas and Steve Smith

Cricket fans have expressed their disappointment they won't get to see Scott Boland in the BBL after he was named as one of six players from the Test team who won't be featuring in the remainder of the T20 competition. The Test squad will head to Sri Lanka later this month for a two-match series, leaving the majority free to play in the BBL until that time.

But Cricket Australia revealed on Tuesday that Boland, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will all be kept on ice and won't play for their respective BBL franchises. The news was particularly disappointing for fans of Boland after his incredible performances at the MCG and SCG to help Australia beat India 3-1.

Fans were hoping to see more of the Victorian in the BBL until his departure to Sri Lanka, but Cricket Australia have ruled him out of playing the T20 games. With Cummins confirmed to stay home for the birth of his second child and Hazlewood also missing the tour due to recent injuries, Boland will play a huge role in the Test series.

Boland and Starc are likely to head a bowling attack featuring two spinners, with Todd Murphy set to join Lyon. However there's a possibility the Aussies could use three spinners, which might mean Starc is the only seamer and Boland misses out. All-rounder Beau Webster could take the new ball with his seamers, although he also has the ability to bowl off-spin.

Some Test players available for BBL games

Cricket Australia announced a 16-player squad for the two Tests in Sri Lanka on Thursday, with players flying to a training camp in the United Arab Emirates on January 18 and 19. Alex Carey (Adelaide Strikers), Sam Konstas (Sydney Thunder) and Webster (Melbourne Stars) are all available for the rest of the BBL's home-and-away season, which ends on January 19.

Steve Smith (who will captain the Test team in Cummins' absence) is available for three Sydney Sixers games from January 11, including a grudge match against David Warner and the Sydney Thunder. But Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja are only available for one Brisbane Heat game - against the Hobart Hurricanes on January 16.

Mitch Marsh (Perth Scorchers) and Jhye Richardson (Scorchers) are free for the rest of the BBL's regular season after missing out on selection in the Test squad. But selectors will need to make a call on Cooper Connolly (Scorchers), Nathan McSweeney (Heat) and Sean Abbott (Sixers) after they were named in the Aussie squad.

Sam Konstas given licence to thrill with Sydney Thunder in BBL

Konstas was due to return to domestic cricket on Wednesday night and given a licence to bring the same swagger and attitude he showed during his stunning introduction to the Test arena. Konstas was slated to open the batting for the Thunder against the Hurricanes (until the match was washed out) just days after helping Australia secure the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, joining Warner at the top of the order.

Warner's aggressive approach changed the face of Test opening, with Konstas taking the attack-at-all-costs mentality up a few notches with his blitz on the Indians. The 19-year-old made headlines around the cricketing world by reverse ramping and charging down the wicket to Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah, while getting under the visitors' skin at every opportunity with a number of verbal exchanges.

The thought of Konstas combining with the equally combative Warner at the top of the order is every bowler's worst nightmare and the injury-hit Thunder can’t wait to unleash the twin tornadoes. "We are looking forward to having Sam back around the group and I’m sure he will come back to us better for his experience with the Australian team," Thunder assistant coach Shawn Bradstreet told Yahoo Sport Australia.

"We know how passionate he is about Sydney Thunder and he’s excited to get back around the boys and add to our depth, especially with all the unavailable players we have had over the past few games. He is in good form and we will be looking forward to seeing him playing with the same confidence and attitude he had against India. We feel the combination of Warner and Konstas at the top is massive for us, with them being right and left-handed and both able to access all parts of the ground."

Australia's Test squad for Sri Lanka tour:

1. Sam Konstas

2. Usman Khawaja

3. Marnus Labuschagne

4. Steve Smith (c)

5. Travis Head (vc)

6. Beau Webster

7. Alex Carey

8. Mitchell Starc

9. Nathan Lyon

10. Scott Boland

11. Todd Murphy

12. Matt Kuhnemann

13. Sean Abbott

14. Josh Inglis

15. Cooper Connolly

16. Nathan McSweeney