A revitalised Tahlia McGrath plans on using the WBBL as a launching pad for a return to Australia's T20 side.
From top of the world as the No.1-ranked batter in the women's short format in 2022, and being groomed as the country's next captain, McGrath missed Australia's World Cup triumph in England this year following a challenging run of outs.
But the former vice-captain is remaining upbeat and hopes to work her way back into form during the 2026-27 Women's Big Bash League, which starts on Thursday.
"The Australian team is such an awesome team with so many amazing cricketers within the team that are knocking on the door, so it's a really hard squad to make," McGrath told AAP.
"And once you're in, you've got to keep performing to stay in it.
"So that's the beauty of Australian cricket, and why we're so strong with the amount of depth and talent that we have."
McGrath has only played four of Australia's 17 T20 matches since March 2025, but hopes to re-establish herself in the national team pecking order with a strong season for the Adelaide Strikers.
"It's a good problem when I'm not getting a hit and the team's doing really well," the 30-year-old allrounder said.
"I'm just chipping away at my game in the background, trying to stay ready, trying to be, if I'm ever required with the bat and the Aussie team.
"The Big Bash is a perfect way to press my claims. Plenty of cricket, 10 games, get a good run at it and, yeah, lots of opportunity there.
"So hopefully it's a successful one for the Strikers and we're back playing some finals cricket."
The 12th edition of the competition gets under way with a double header at Melbourne's Junction Oval.
The Melbourne Renegades face the Sydney Thunder before the Melbourne Stars take on the defending champion Hobart Hurricanes.
McGrath's Strikers open their campaign at home on Saturday against the Stars.
McGrath reckons any of the eight teams can win the title.
"The hard thing with this competition is you look at everyone's squad list and everyone looks incredibly strong on paper, so it's about performing every game and not taking anyone lightly," she said.
"I feel like our squad, we're shaping up really nicely. We've probably missed the mark the last couple of years, but have got that hunger back that we want to be their finals time and we'd love to be super competitive this year."
Sydney Sixers superstar Ellyse Perry is suiting up for an incredible 20th summer since debuting for Australia back in 2007.
Far from slowing down, Perry remains as driven as ever and made the extraordinary declaration that, at 35, she still plans on getting better.
"It's really easy to be a part of a sport that year on year gets bigger and more exciting," Perry said.
"This era of women's sport in general too has been an absolute privilege to be a part of, and the opportunities that are available to every young cricketer coming through - male or female - these days is so cool and to be a part of that still is super motivating."