Steve Smith, an Australian batter, will play for the Sydney Sixers in the 2023-24 Big Bash League (BBL) in order to improve his T20 form in time for the 2024 T20 World Cup in June.Smith is expected to be available for the first half of the BBL, with Australia’s home season beginning on December 14th. The Australians will play five Tests against Pakistan and the West Indies till January 29.
It is to be noted that the new shortened format of the BBL will be conducted from December 7 to January 24.
Steve Smith, who is currently part of the Australian squad in India for a T20I series, expressed his pleasure at having attained a chance to play for the Sixers again.
“It’s great to be back in the Sixers shirt. I’ve got some really fond memories playing for the Sixers. Obviously, I am an original, part of the first squad and really enjoyed my time last year for the five or six games and the finals that I played so I am keen to get out there again," he said.Franchise captain Moises Henriques was also elated at having Smith at his disposal, albeit for a brief while.
“Steve is a Sixer through and through. Any opportunity for him to be a part of this group, we will always jump at that chance. It goes without saying that he’s one of the best players the game has ever seen. He’s obviously someone you want playing in your side, but he’s also a guy we love having around," Henriques stated.Smith is trying to re-establish himself as a T20I opener after missing the majority of Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign on home soil in 2022.
Steve Smith scored 346 runs in five matches during the 2022-23 BBL season
The ace batter’s claim to play as Australia’s T20I opening batter began with his stay with the Sixers in the 2022-23 BBL season. Steve Smith was outstanding at the top of the order, hitting 346 runs in five games at an average of 86.50 and a strike rate of 174.74.With the sheer number of sixes he smashed throughout his brief campaign, he demonstrated his power-hitting talent. The right-handed batter also hit two spectacular hundreds in a row.On December 8, the Sydney Sixers will kick off their 2023-24 season at home against the Melbourne Renegades.
