‘One of the best players the game has ever seen’: Steve Smith locked in for Sixers return
The BBL has received a major boost with one of the world’s greatest ever players set to return after lighting up the tournament last season.
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He produced some of the most mind-blowing knocks of the competition last season, and the Sixers have confirmed that Australian superstar Steve Smith will return for a portion of this year’s BBL, with the batting maestro to feature in a star-studded showdown at home against the Renegades on December 8.
Smith lit up the BBL last season, becoming the first men’s Sixers player to hit a century when he smoked 101 in Coffs Harbour and then backed it up with a simply unreal 125 not out in the Sydney Smash a few days later.
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It was a five-game cameo that exceeded all expectations with Smith blasting 346 runs at an average of 86.5, with only 10 players scoring more runs than him last season despite playing three times as many games.
But it was his power game that lit up the league with the usually patient Smith striking at 174.74 and hitting a season-high 25 sixes at the top of the order.
His return for the new season is a huge coup for the BBL, with fellow Australian Test stars Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne also locked in for the Heat’s season opener against the Stars.
“It’s great to be back in this Sixers shirt,” Smith said from India.
“I’ve got some really fond memories playing for the Sixers. I’m an original part of the squad and really enjoyed my time playing last year for the five or six games and the finals that I played, so I’m keen to go again.
“I had a couple of chats to Moises (skipper Moises Henriques), and they were obviously keen to have me around.
“I’m not sure how many games I’m going to play, but I’ll definitely be playing the one on the 8th of December against the Renegades at the SCG, and I’m really looking forward to that.”
It’s unclear how many games Smith will be allowed to play given there’s a small 10 day window between Test series against Pakistan and the West Indies, but the Sixers are confident their marquee man will be cleared to take on David Warner and the Thunder in the Sydney Smash on January 12.
“Steve is a Sixer through and through,” Henriques said.
“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.
“He is one of the most entertaining players in the world to watch, so for our fans to get that opportunity this season is a no-brainer for us.”
It’s unclear whether the Sixers will unleash Australian quicks Mitchell Starc or Josh Hazlewood at any point during the season, with reports Cricket Australia will allow clubs to sign nationally-contracted players outside of the BBL salary cap.
Regardless, the December 8 clash at the SCG already shapes as one of the matches of the summer with Smith to face Australian teammates Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa.
“Steve is one of the best players in the world,” head of Sydney Sixers, Rachael Haynes said.
“He comes to us fresh off the back of an incredible winter for the Australian men’s team – retaining the Ashes in England, claiming the World Test Championship and winning a World Cup.
“The impact that Steve was able to make in such a short time last season is testament to the kind of player he is. We have no doubt Sixers fans can expect the same level of entertainment when he takes to the field again this summer.”
Originally published as ‘One of the best players the game has ever seen’: Steve Smith locked in for Sixers return
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