Steve Smith signs up for County Championship spell with Sussex ahead of Ashes
Australia’s Steve Smith has agreed a short-term deal to play three LV= Insurance County Championship matches for Sussex ahead of this summer’s Ashes.
The world’s number two Test batter will be available in May for trips to Worcestershire and Leicestershire and a home fixture with Glamorgan.
Smith is eager to play first-class cricket in English conditions in preparation for the Ashes, which take place in June and July.
Coming to Sussex this May: Steve Smith. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/GevrnjdUIf
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) January 19, 2023
Australia could also qualify for June’s World Test Championship final at The Kia Oval.
Smith has played 92 Tests for Australia, scoring 37 half-centuries and 30 centuries, at an average of 60.89.
The 33-year-old, who had a spell playing T20 for Worcestershire in 2010, registered 774 runs at an average of 110.57 in the last Ashes series in England in 2019.
Sussex finished second bottom in Division Two of County Championship in 2022 but had an overseas vacancy following an injury to West Indies seamer Jayden Seales.
Sussex Cricket CEO Rob Andrew said in a statement: “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.
“Our Championship form has not been good enough for a number of years and under the new direction of head coach Paul Farbrace, we are looking to be positive and ambitious.
“Being able to attract a player of Steve Smith’s calibre is a massive statement and will be of great benefit to our young homegrown players, particularly our crop of talented young batters.”
Smith has never had too much trouble batting in England, averaging just under 60 in the country over the course of 16 Tests.
That rises to more than 65, with six centuries, in 14 Ashes matches, but he is still keen to polish his skills.
“I am excited about joining Sussex for a few games in May and hopefully making a contribution to a successful season,” said Smith.
“I am particularly looking forward to working with the younger players in the squad and hoping I can provide some guidance to them.”
Latest
-
NewsJofra Archer returns career-best ODI figures as England claim consolation win
England won the third and final match against South Africa but had already lost the series.
-
EnglandDawid Malan and Jos Buttler hit hundreds as England fight back in South Africa
Buttler’s men are bidding to avoid a series clean sweep and a sixth successive loss in the ODI format.
-
County CricketTom Curran taking break from red-ball cricket for ‘my body and my mental health’
The 27-year-old has endured injury problems in recent years.
-
The AshesOlly Stone hopes to play a role in an England pace trio during this year’s Ashes
Stone hopes to play a role this summer along with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.
-
EnglandOlly Stone ready for whatever role is required to make England World Cup squad
‘Any way in the England team, I’ll snap someone’s hand off,’ said Stone.
-
Women's CricketDane van Niekerk ‘absolutely broken’ to miss World Cup over fitness standards
The South Africa captain was unable to complete a two-kilometre run in the minimum required time.
-
EnglandRun of defeats has not damaged England’s confidence, insists Moeen Ali
The all-rounder is confident England will be in good shape for the defence of their World Cup crown.
-
County CricketLancashire sign New Zealand pair Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme
The all-rounders will be available to play in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast throughout the season.
-
EnglandJos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
South AfricaTemba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.