Big Bash stars headline winter competition

Three key Big Bash regulars have turned to another national competition in the winter, taking part in the Australian Indoor Open Championships in Melbourne this week.

Jason Floros, Clive Rose and Kara Sutherland will compete in the state-based indoor cricket tournament as "marquee" players. The tournament marks a return to their roots of sorts for the trio, with each having played the indoor format before progressing to represent their respective Big Bash League clubs.

Each player will represent their home state after plying their trade interstate in the T20 tournament, with Brisbane Heat allrounder Floros joining six family members (both playing and coaching) in the ACT squad and Sutherland, a Sydney Sixers quick, part of the Queensland line-up.

Rose, an Australia Under-19 representative, will represent Victoria for the sixth time at Open level, missing only last year due to Sheffield Shield commitments with the Tasmanian Tigers.

The left-arm spin bowler says indoor cricket was a catalyst for his rise to state level after beginning his cricketing career on the indoor courts where he returns this week.

"I think it just helps you hit the ball better and later and watch it more," Rose told cricket.com.au.

"The balls swings and bowlers are bowling more variations which makes you aware, I think it definitely helps outdoor.

"I grew up playing at Springvale and it's great to see Jason and Kara playing too, it will bring an awareness to indoor cricket, it's slowly growing and getting bigger numbers and it's a great other way to keep your skills up during the winter."

Rose will again play for the Damien Wright-led Hobart Hurricanes in BBL|06 after being released from his Tasmanian Tigers state contract earlier this year.

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The week long tournament heads to the Springvale Indoor Sports complex in Melbourne's South-East with players competing in the Open Men, Open Women, 21 and under Men and the Lords Taverner's Shield for cricketers with an intellectual disability divisions.

This tournament is the second of four indoor tournaments Cricket Australia will host this winter, culminating in a Trans-Tasman series in Port Macquarie before the Masters World Series in the United Kingdom in October.

More than 180,000 participants play indoor cricket across Australia with CA hoping to reach 500,000 players by 2025.

Tune in to the Australian Indoor Open Championships via indoor.cricket.com.au between June 4-11, with the finals to be live streamed via the Cricket Australia Live App.