Dumped batsman Peter Handscomb has been released from Australia's Test squad to play for Melbourne Stars in their Big Bash fixture against Sydney Sixers.
Handscomb, who was replaced in Australia's XI for the Boxing Day Test by Mitch Marsh, will line up for the Stars at the SCG on Thursday night.
It is the second time in as many years Handscomb has been dropped two Tests into the summer.
He was also released to the BBL after being dropped during last summer's Ashes series, despite having indicated a preference to remain with the Test squad.
Concerns about the Victorian's unorthodox technique crystallised when he fell cheaply during the first two Tests against India in Adelaide and Perth.
Australian skipper Tim Paine said on the eve of the Boxing Day Test that Handscomb would come into consideration for the fourth Test at the SCG.
"Going to Sydney, a place where it normally spins, I think people come back into the fold pretty quickly because he's renowned as probably our best player of spin," Paine said.
"I know he'll be doing everything he can to get back into the side."
Paine said Marsh's part-time seamers had given him the edge but also acknowledged Handscomb needed to work on the technical side of his game.
"I think he's had conversations with the selectors that there's a few things that they would like him to work on and Pete is open to that," Paine said.
"We know that Pete at his best is going to score a lot of Test runs. He brings a hell of a lot to our side."
