Kim McConnie, the current Big Bash League head, has ruled out any possibility of former Australian Captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner featuring in the BBL this year, as the competition comes in the middle of their bans induced by Cricket Australia. 

In April 2018, CA banned Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft for their involvement in the ball-tampering incident during the Cape Town Test in South Africa and hence, despite getting NOC's for the Global T20 Canada League in Toronto, the trio can't take part in any CA organised cricket event before the completion of the period of ban. The BBL is set to kick-start in December whereas the Smith and Warner can only return playing internationally for Australia after the home summer of 2018/19 ends in March. 

McConnie was quoted saying about the matter as, "Both players have done a really good job and accepted the ruling from Cricket Australia, and they won't be appearing in the BBL this season,"

"I think every player who plays cricket, we love to think that they talk about the Big Bash and promote the tournament. But beyond being cricket players themselves that have a love of the format, there'll be no formal relationship."

McConnie further added, "We've got so many heroes within our current league, and what we're going to be focusing on this season is really making sure that we bring some of those younger players that we're developing in our own system," 

"So we're going to have some star power but it's also about promoting the generation coming through the T20 format as well."

(Inputs from Cricket Australia)