It will also be his first stint in English county cricket since debuting in Test cricket in 2010. Earlier, ESPNCricinfo reported that Smith targeted a Division one county side, with Kent as the likeliest, given his links following a stint in club cricket at Sevenoaks Vine CC in 2007.
However, the club’s situation and Smith’s availability meant the stars did not align and the former Aussie skipper penned a deal with Sussex.
Sussex welcomed the seasoned Aussie batter for the upcoming season who will join Cheteshwar Pujara, who agreed to return in October for the 2023 season. He will be available to play two away matches against Worcestershire (May 4) and Leicestershire (May 11), followed by a home game against Glamorgan (May 18).
Reflecting on his decision to play for Sussex, the New South Wales batter said, as quoted by the official website:
Currently, the 33-year-old is ranked second in the ICC Test batting rankings, averaging 60.89 after 92 Tests with 30 tons. The former Australian captain stands second behind Sir Don Bradman for ICC All-Time Test rating points.
“We are thrilled to have Steve Smith available for our County Championship matches in May” - Sussex Cricket CEO Rob Andrew
Sussex Cricket CEO Rob Andrew expects Smith’s availability to benefit the young cricketers greatly, especially during the year of a home Ashes series. Andrew added:
The stint with Sussex will gear him up for the Ashes series on English soil in June. The right-handed batter starred with a gargantuan 774 runs in four Tests in the 2019 leg as Australia retained the urn with a 2-2 result.
The veteran cricketer is currently plying his trade for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL) and will next travel to India to feature in a four-match Test tour, starting on February 9.
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