Prior to the eagerly anticipated Ashes series, which is scheduled to begin on June 16, 2023, the well-known Australian batter Steve Smith is reportedly in talks with County side Sussex over a potential short-term contract.
The former Australia captain chose not to participate in the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League, giving him more than two months to prepare for The Ashes in England.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Sussex is in advanced talks with the cricketer, and both parties are eager to reach an agreement as soon as possible. Smith’s entourage, on the other hand, is said to be in contact with other county sides in order to explore other options.
As things stand, most county sides have already secured their overseas signings, leaving only a few teams with a limited number of slots available. Smith is expected to play at least three to four games to acclimatise to English conditions. He put in some outstanding batting performances in the last Test series he played in England and is expected to do so again this summer.
“It should be a good six months of cricket with India and then the Ashes” – Steve Smith
Meanwhile, the 33-year-old is expected to play in his first BBL game in three years. Smith, on the other hand, will not play many games because the Australian team will soon depart for India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Steve Smith recently expressed his excitement about what is to come in the next six months. The team will travel to India for a four-match Test series before returning home for a five-match Test series against their main rival, England.
“It should be a good six months of cricket with India and then the Ashes. As an Australian cricketer, they’re the two biggest hurdles. It’s going to be exciting,” Steve Smith said.
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