Australian superstar Steve Smith has reportedly signed a whopping $250,000 contract with the Sixers for a four-game BBL stint.
The deal is set to be a huge boost for Australia’s premier T20 competition, with both Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW reportedly paying upwards of $100,000 to secure his signature according to The Daily Telegraph.
Smith’s first match will take place after the Sydney Test which is scheduled to finish on the 8th of January.
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The 33-year-old joins teammate David Warner in becoming marquee players for their respective Sydney teams after the opening batsmen signed a two-year deal in August.
The pair are set to face off in a huge Sydney derby on January 21 — and the clash could smash TV ratings records and sell out the SCG.
Smith will be welcomed into the Sixers squad as a replacement player for Englishman James Vince who will return home halfway through the season.
While he has been able to secure a deal with the Sydney franchise, Smith almost missed out on signing due to a reported stand-off with Cricket Australia.
However, Cricket NSW stepped in to offer their support which allowed the deal to get over the line.
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Replacement players typically only early match payments of $2,200 per game, but Smith will receive his salary under marketing expenditure.
In BBL11 the Sixers attempted to sign Smith for the finals series and were blocked — but now he could play a vital role in the franchise’s finals hopes this season.
“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,” Sixers captain Moises Henriques said in a statement.
“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.
“He’s focused on the Test summer right now but once that is over, we will welcome him back with open arms.”
