Veteran Australian player Steve Smith will play in this year’s KFC Big Bash League (BBL) after the Aussie batter struck a deal with Cricket Australia for a return to the Sydney Sixers.
Smith, who led the Sixers to their inaugural championship, missed out on the previous two editions of the BBL. He last played Big Bash in January 2020 where he made four appearances for the Sixers and was part of their BBL championship team, scoring 21 off 12 balls in the final.
Steve Smith has been signed by the Sixers as a replacement player when the Sixer’s overseas draft picks, Chris Jordan and James Vince depart for the IL20 league in UAE in early January.
He has scored 619 runs at 32.57 and a strike rate of 129.49 in 24 matches for the Sydney Sixers.
He's coming home 😍✨ #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/M4IBKHIfKc
— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) December 11, 2022
He will be available for as many as four regular season matches and potentially the finals. Smith is expected to be available for the Sixers’ fixtures against defending champions the Perth Scorchers on January 15, the Adelaide Strikers on January 17, the Thunder on January 21 and the Hurricanes on January 23.
“We are really excited for the team” – Sydney Sixers head on Steve Smith’s signing
Head of Sydney Sixers, Jonathan Robinson-Lees, said Smith and his management recently confirmed he would be available to play in the upcoming BBL after his international commitments.
“That is great news for the Sixers, the BBL and for fans,” said Lees. “We are really excited for the team and especially our fans, who will now get to see one of the world’s greatest players in magenta this summer,” he added.
The Sydney Sixers were the runners-up in the previous edition where the Perth Scorchers eventually lifted the trophy. They will hope to lift the trophy again with the players they have within their ranks.
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