Steve Smith has confirmed he will play county cricket before the Ashes later this year, although the star Australian batsman says he can’t understand why there has been debate in the UK ahead of his impending arrival.
The Herald revealed earlier this month Smith was in advanced negotiations to play a handful of games in the County Championship as a warm-up for the Ashes.
Steve Smith is excited for a big year ahead. Credit:Getty
Smith has played domestic T20 matches in the UK before but never taken his talents to county cricket. That is about to change, with Sussex confirming Smith will be available for three matches before a likely World Test Championship final and a blockbuster Ashes series that begins on June 16 at Edgbaston.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted on Thursday evening: “Great signing for our game … well done.”
But the news of Smith’s arrival has not gone down well with all England fans after he tormented England on his most recent visit in 2019, making 774 runs at 110.57 to help Australia retain the urn.
Some supporters have labelled Sussex “traitors” for letting one of Australia’s stars fine-tune his game for one of the biggest series on the international calendar.
The topic of hosting rival players in domestic competitions ahead of an Ashes series has long been an issue in England but not in Australia, with former England coach Trevor Bayliss, a New South Welshman, telling the Daily Mail in 2021: ″Mate, you won’t find Sheffield Shield teams rushing to sign England players before an Ashes series in Australia.″
Asked if he understood why there was such fierce debate, Smith said: “Not really. I’ve played a lot over there. I don’t think it’s going to change too much. I’m just going to play some cricket and have some fun. I don’t think it makes a real difference.”
Smith will face close mate and top-order partner Marnus Labuschagne when Sussex take on Glamorgan in Hove on May 18.
Ahead of the “Sydney Smash” between the Sixers and the Thunder in the BBL at the SCG on Saturday evening, Smith explained his reasons for wanting a brief extra stint in the UK.
“Just to play some cricket really,” Smith said. “India and the Ashes are the biggest hurdles as Australian cricketers. To have a little bit of a break after the India series and then get some games in for Sussex should be good fun.
“I was in contact with Paul Farbrace last night, head of cricket at Sussex. They’re excited to have me over for a couple of games. Hopefully, I can spend some time with some of their young batters and mentor them and share my experiences with them.”
Sussex chief executive Rob Andrew trumpeted the signing.
“To have arguably the world’s best batter play for Sussex just before an eagerly awaited Ashes Test series is great for us and the County Championship,” Andrew said.
Smith will play alongside England seamer Ollie Robinson and is likely to face him in the nets. Fellow England fast bowler Jofra Archer is tied up with IPL commitments.
Smith said the ability to switch between red-ball and white-ball cricket was becoming easier in the modern game.
“Last time we were there [before the Ashes] we came off the World Cup and we did pretty well in the red-ball stuff,” Smith said. “I don’t think it makes a huge difference. It’s part and parcel of cricket these days. It might take a training session to get back in the groove but I think that’s being part of a professional these days.”
