Steve Smith signs long-term Sydney Sixers deal as Brisbane Heat re-sign Aussie star

In a boon for the BBL, Steve Smith and David Warner have both signed lengthy contracts. Smith was one of three current Australian stars to announce a new deal on Tuesday.

Steve Smith has committed to the Big Bash League’s Sydney Sixers for a further three seasons in a move that quells persistent rumours of an imminent retirement for the all-time great.

And he’s not the only current Australian player to have decided his BBL future, with Marnus Labuschagne committing to the Brisbane Heat for this season and Alex Carey re-signing with the Adelaide Strikers for four years.

And retired Australia star David Warner has signed a two-year deal with the Sydney Thunder.

Warner will be available for the entirety of the 2024-25 season and beyond.

“In Davey we get a world class talent with almost 20 years of T20 experience and now that he has retired from international cricket, we can count on his full focus and commitment for the entire tournament, including the finals,” Sydney Thunder GM Trent Copeland said.

David Warner has re-signed with the Sydney Thunder. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

For more than 18 months, Smith has been coy and cryptic about his plans, intermittently fuelling speculation that he may be ready to pull the pin from the game.

In an interview with this masthead last month, Smith said that he was “enjoying playing” but did not have long-term goals.

His underwhelming start to life as a Test opener had done little to thwart the idea that the end was nigh.

But Smith has penned a three-year deal with his long-time BBL club, tying him to the Sixers until the end of the 2026-27 season, by which point he will be 37.

Though it does not guarantee his international future, the move at least suggests Smith plans to play professionally until the latter stages of the decade.

Smith says he is not yet a spent force in Twenty20 cricket and is eyeing an Indian Premier League return after strong form for Major League Cricket’s Washington Freedom.

The Sixers are understood to have separately signed Josh Hazlewood to a marquee supplementary player contract for the upcoming season after more than four years out of the league, albeit it is unlikely he will feature in the BBL this summer due to Australia’s busy Test schedule.

Steve Smith of has committed to the Sixers for the next three seasons. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s fantastic news to have Steve commit to the club for the next three years. He’s one of the best players in the world and we know just how excited our members and fans will be to see him in pink in the coming seasons,” Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes said of Smith’s signing.

“Steve is a proven performer in this format and he’s in outstanding white-ball form at the moment, leading Washington Freedom to their first title in Major League Cricket last month.

“Steve is a Sixer through and through and has been part of the club since the very beginning. It’s a sign of significant commitment on his part to sign on with the club for the next three years and we couldn’t be happier to have him on board long-term.”

Marnus Labuschagne will be back in teal this season. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Brisbane Heat has secured Labuschagne’s services for the 2024-25 season.

The Australian cross-format star is expected to be available for at least three matches.

“I think he is an exceptionally underrated T20 player,” first-year Heat coach Johan Botha said.

“His game sense is exceptional and that is a huge asset to us on and off the field.

“His ODI efforts with the bat last year, especially in the World Cup, and his previous efforts for the Heat all demonstrate his ability to rapidly assess situations, modify his approach and execute accordingly for the team.”

It will be Labuschagne’s ninth season with the Heat.

Originally published as Steve Smith signs long-term Sydney Sixers deal as Brisbane Heat re-sign Aussie star