Steve Smith rules out Big Bash League appearance amid hectic summer

The Australia batsman has become the latest figure to raise concerns over the mental strains of life in bio-secure bubbles

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Sydney Sixers will once again be without Steve Smith for the upcoming men's Big Bash League.

The Australia batsman says there is "absolutely no chance" he will feature in the T20 competition which takes place from December 3 to February 6.

Smith has only played in four of the nine previous editions of the competition, mostly due to his international schedule.

This summer is no different. Upon returning from the Indian Premier League next month he will enter 14 days of quarantine before the 10-match multi-format series against India which runs into the New Year.

Justin Langer's side are then due in New Zealand while a Test tour to South Africa is also mooted.

Cricket Australia are keen to manage the mental and physical well-being of their players but the 31-year-old has taken the first step to reduce his schedule.

Speaking to News Corp on his chances of playing in the BBL, he said: "I'll be honest with you - absolutely no chance."

^{Sydney Sixers are the defending champions from the ninth edition}

Test cricket's No.1 ranked batsman has already jumped from one bio-secure bubble in England to another in the United Arab Emirates for the IPL.

And with a restrictive yet intense summer ahead he has called for a review of the conditions.

"It's still early days with the bubbles," Smith added. "We don't know how long it's going to last for. There's an uncertainty there. It's just going to be about having open conversations with coaches, general managers, whoever, to ensure that people are keeping their head space in a reasonable place.

"Then there's obviously going to be questions around selection. If someone takes some time off because they've been in the bubble for a long time and then someone comes in and plays well, do they take their spot?

"When guys are starting to find things a bit tough mentally from just living in the bubble, being able to get out - even if it might just be a few days of being normal might be a real help. Those conversations need to be had."