Talismanic Steve Smith is set to play for Sydney Sixers in the forthcoming edition of the Big Bash League after confirmation from the franchise on Monday. The Aussie superstar who inked a whopping deal of AUD 100,000 with SS and led the Sixers to their first-ever BBL title in 2011-12 is expected to play as many as four regular season matches and likely the finals too following the Test against South Africa in Sydney.
"One of the sport’s all-time greats, Smith is set to return home after the Sixers struck a deal for him to join their squad as a replacement player, seeing the prolific run-scorer pull on magenta for the first time since BBL|09 when he was part of the title-winning team."
"The 33-year-old, who captained Australia in last week’s Test match in Adelaide, will be formally named as a replacement player for one of the Sixers international recruits when they depart in January, following the completion of Smith’s international commitments," read the statement on the website.
Smith's long-time friend, Moises Henriques, commented on the news and said that the Australian star can be part of the franchise for as long as he wants.
“Steve Smith is a Sixer. He has been part of this club from the start, and he will be part of this club for as long as he wants to be. He has always known that the door is open to him playing with us again and we are really excited that our fans will get to see him in four matches in the latter half of the season, including two at the SCG,” Henriques said.
“He’s focused on the Test summer right now but once that is over, we will welcome him back with open arms.”
This also sets up an exciting clash with David Warner at the SCG which is to take place on January 21 in the second Sydney Smash after the Australian opener signed a deal with the Thunder in August to end his nine-year Big Bash absence this Australian summer.
"Sixers fans will have the opportunity to see Smith in action for as many as four regular season matches – in addition, potentially, to finals – starting with the clash with the defending champion Perth Scorchers at the SCG on January 15, followed by fixtures against the Adelaide Strikers in Coffs Harbour two days later, the Sydney Smash at the SCG on January 21 and a trip to face the Hurricanes in Hobart on January 23," Sixers said in the statement on their website.
