In the upcoming 13th season of the KFC Big Bash League (BBL), Australian star batter Steve Smith is poised to wear the magenta jersey of the Sydney Sixers once again. Having been part of the Sixers since their first season, Smith eagerly anticipates the team's season opener at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on December 8, where he will square off against the Melbourne Renegades.
The highly anticipated match may showcase Smith facing off against his World Cup-winning teammate Adam Zampa, who recently moved from the Stars to the Renegades. Adding to the intrigue, Nathan Lyon, a Test cricket stalwart alongside Smith, has also joined the Renegades.
After this match, Smith's involvement will be temporarily halted by the Test series between Australia and Pakistan, beginning on December 14.
Despite his commitment to the Test series rendering him unavailable for a significant part of the BBL season, fans can anticipate Smith's return for the Sydney Smash on January 12. In this marquee event, he is expected to face off against another World Cup champion, David Warner.
Smith's prior BBL season was exceptional, accumulating an impressive 346 runs in just five innings. Notably, he recorded two centuries, becoming the first male player to achieve a hundred for the Sixers after narrowly missing the milestone seven times before. His remarkable unbeaten 125 at the SCG played a crucial role in a commanding victory over the Thunder.
Recently, Smith has embraced the role of an opener, strategically aligning with his aim to secure this position for Australia in T20Is, especially in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean.
In a statement to Cricket.com.au, Smith expressed his enthusiasm about rejoining the franchise and is eager to leave his mark in the upcoming season.
"It's great to be back in the Sixers shirt," Smith said.
"I've got some fond memories playing for the Sixers. I am an original, part of the first squad and enjoyed my time playing last year for the five or six games and the finals that I played, so I'm keen to get out there again."
Although the specific number of appearances Smith will make in BBL13 is uncertain, his participation in the opening clash against the Renegades is confirmed.
"I'm looking forward to that," he added.
"Looking forward to coming up against 'Zamps' (Zampa) with the Renegades, obviously he's a world-class bowler, coming off the back of a magnificent World Cup for Australia”, the Aussie batter concluded.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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