"big-bash-league"

The 31-year-old has represented England in every format of the game having made his Test debut in 2012. Bairstow was representing SunRisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League

His availability will be determined on Australian selection in the Test squad for the series against India, with those Sixers players selected for the entire series likely to be available for the last three games of the regular season

The 10th season of the eight-franchise Twenty20 tournament was intially due to begin on December 3, but it will now start seven days later

"I'd like to thank my family, my parents Pauline and Jim, and my wife Rhiannon who have supported me through the journey," Ferguson said in a statement.

Taylor joined the Strikers last season. However, she made only two appearances due to international commitments and injury.