Peter Handscomb will be available to play for the Melbourne Stars in Thursday's KFC BBL clash with the Sydney Sixers after being released from Australia’s Test squad.

Handscomb was left out of Australia's Boxing Day XI for the third Domain Test at the MCG, replaced by allrounder Mitch Marsh.

It means the Stars could be boosted by the return of Handscomb for tomorrow's meeting with the Sixers at the SCG, where the Melbourne club will be seeking their first win of the season after two defeats.

Peter Siddle, the other unused member of Australia's Test squad, will not be available to turn out for the Adelaide Strikers tonight.

The Strikers' schedule makes it nigh on impossible for Siddle to link up with the BBL’s defending champions – the team is in action later today against the Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium.

The availability of both Handscomb and Siddle beyond this Test is yet to be confirmed.

The Strikers' next match will then be the New Year's Eve clash with the Sydney Thunder in Adelaide, by which time Siddle will likely be back in camp with the Test squad ahead of the fourth Test in Sydney.

Handscomb is also set to re-join the Test squad in Sydney in the new year meaning it’s unlikely he’ll be available for the Stars’ derby against the Renegades on January 1 at the MCG.

Handscomb scored 34, 14, 7 and 13 across four Test innings this summer and had been under pressure for his returns and technique.

Australia Test captain Tim Paine backed Handscomb to rebound strongly from being dropped for the third Test, where an extra bowling option was provided on a pitch that ws expected to be flatter than the first two Tests.

"I'm sure Pete would be upset. I think he's had conversations with the selectors that there's a few things they would like him to work on and Pete is open to that.

"Pete at his best is going to score a lot of Test runs and not just his batting, he brings a hell of a lot to our side in terms of his fielding, his experience and just the way he generally goes about his cricket.

"We're sure he'll score a lot more runs for Australia."

The Stars, who finished bottom of the ladder last season, have lost matches against the Sydney Thunder and Hobart Hurricanes this season. They have not won a match outside of Melbourne since January 14, 2017.