In November, England’s Director of Cricket Andrew Strauss declared himself a “massive fan” of franchise T20 tournaments across the world, and Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL), and voiced his intention for more England players to gain experience by playing in them.

Since then, he has delivered on his promise. David Willey turned down a place on the England Lions tour of the UAE to appear for the Perth Scorchers, and Adil Rashid was spared a drinks-carrying role in South Africa and is instead playing for the Adelaide Strikers.

Other England players – Luke Wright, Kevin Pietersen, Michael Carberry and Michael Lumb – have also signed for Big Bash sides, but, unlike the Yorkshire pair, are trying to resurrect international careers, rather than being encouraged to be there by the England management. It seems unlikely that any of the four has any chance to play internationally again, but it is interesting for many other English players to see how their colleagues are performing.

With Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Ravi Bopara, James Vince, Sam Billings and Ashar Zaidi joining Pietersen and Wright in the squads of Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams in February, it seems undeniable that Strauss has delivered upon his promise.

But how well have the England players in the Big Bash done so far?

David Willey

Known by many in England for his brutal batting, Willey has found opportunities with the bat hard to come by so far this BBL season; his one innings yielded two runs from five deliveries.

However, his role internationally has been as a bustling left-arm seamer, and he has performed extremely well so far for the Scorchers.

His seven wickets have come at an average of 13.57, and his economy rate has been extremely impressive; he has conceded 5.93 runs per over in the tournament.

His side are top of the table after three impressive wins and one loss in their first four matches, and Willey will be looking to continue his good form into the closing stages of the tournament.

Michael Carberry

In distinct contrast to his Scorchers teammate, Carberry has struggled this season. He has been the overseas player for the past two years now, but has failed to replicate his 2014/15 success.

His first appearance of the tournament, against the Strikers, saw him score just five runs from twelve deliveries, and his batting services were not required on Boxing Day.

He then lost his place in the side, and will struggle to force his way back in, judging by the batting for of Shaun Marsh and Michael Klinger in particular.

Adil Rashid

Rashid has had a great tournament so far for the Strikers.

His 2/27 from four overs in the first game against the Stars saw him snare the wickets of Wright and Glenn Maxwell, and helped his side defend a competitive total of 187/5.

His next contribution was 2/21 from four overs against the Scorchers, with the subdued Carberry and Mitchell Marsh his key wickets. He then hit an unbeaten two not out from two balls, which included the winning runs, and was named man of the match.

The game against the Thunder was a disaster for the Strikers, but Rashid held the innings together with the bat; his 18-ball 25 was the second top score in an innings of 117/9.

However, he leaked runs too easily with the ball, and ended with 0/39 from four overs.

Despite conceding 34 runs from four overs in the next game against the Sixers, Rashid took three important wickets to restrict the Sydney side to 176. He was also involved in an unbeaten sixth wicket stand of 59 from 18 balls with Travis Head to win the game; although his personal contribution was only two not out from one delivery.

His seven tournament wickets have come at 17.28, and his economy rate – a slight worry throughout his international career to date – has been 7.56, indicating a level of control.

Michael Lumb

After dropping the easiest of catches in the first innings of the tournament against the Thunder, Lumb started with innings of 4 and 34, and looked slightly uneasy at the crease.

However, since then, his form has improved; his 35-ball 63 against the Renegades was crucial in his side’s dramatic three-wicket victory, which saw him win the match award, and on Saturday, his 47 was the only innings of any substance in his side’s hammering by the Scorchers.

So far, he is the Sixers’ leading run scorer with 194 runs in six innings with his runs coming at a 133.79 strike rate. The Sixers are languishing in the bottom half of the table, but Lumb is key to their chances of a recovery.

Luke Wright

After three failures in the first three Stars game of the tournament, Wright sent out a clear reminder of his talent in Saturday’s Melbourne derby with a match-winning 109 not out off 63 balls.

His medium-pace is yet to be utilized, but more contributions with the bat will be expected.

Kevin Pietersen

‘KP’ has completed three innings this tournament, with scores of 22, 76 and 6.

The highest of those was a terrific innings, compiled from 42 balls and including five fours and six sixes; but for the fact in was in a one-run defeat to the Thunder, it would have put him in with a good shout of winning the match award.

Pietersen has also provided viewers with commentary both on and off the pitch this year, wearing a microphone whilst batting and fielding and joining the commentary team during other teams’ fixtures. His best moment whilst on air was probably him stating his desire for the Renegades’ Chris Gayle to offer a catch soon, before the big Jamaican spooned one up to him off the very next ball.