A month-long gap between tours of India and South Africa in January and February has created an opportunity for Australia's best players to join the Twenty20 competition.

Additionally, Cricket Australia has sent clubs draft copies of the BBL schedule which allows them to advance negotiations with potential players.

Smith, Hazlewood and Starc, having all previously donned the magenta, are eyeing potential BBL returns.

"That would be amazing if they could come back and play for the Sixers," Henriques said.

"I haven't heard anything. I'd definitely take those three in the 11 any day of the week. I hope the rumours are true because they will definitely help our chances."

Smith is focused on the World Cup but understood to be keen on a return to the Sixers, after captaining them to the inaugural BBL title in 2012.

The gifted batsman also played a behind-the-scenes role last summer, mentoring Josh Philippe and others while serving a year-long ban.

Henriques has been watching Smith and Starc in the World Cup and describes their performance as "A-Grade".

"Steve's come in, in every game ,and he's sort of upped the tempo of the Australian innings," he said.

"He's looked to score off every ball. He's got out a couple of times trying to move the game forward - which I thought was the exact right choices at the time.

"I think the decision-making is spot on. He's already made a couple of contributions to Australia winning games."

He said Mitchell Starc had been bowling at crucial times at the death.

"At the back end of the overs, where so many bowlers can get smacked around, he seems to find a way to break through and take wickets," he said.

Henriques joined Sarah Aley of the Sixers and the NSW Breakers' Trent Copeland, Rene Farrell and Tahlia Wilson to be the first cricketers to bowl at Friday's opening of the Norm O'Neill Cricket Training Facility in Penshurst.

"I scored my first-ever 100 on Penshurst Park back in the under 10s which was nice," he said.

"I literally started my cricket here so it's nice to come back and see what it's turned into."

Australian Associated Press