Steve Smith signed by Sussex on short-term deal ahead of 2023 Men’s Ashes

• Sussex have signed Steve Smith on a short-term contract.
• Sussex have signed Steve Smith for their  matches in May.
• Smith is currently ranked second in ICC Men’s Test Batting rankings.

Prior to the 2023 Men’s Ashes, which begin on June 16 in Birmingham, Sussex has signed top Australian hitter Steve Smith to a short-term contract for three County Championship games.

Smith will be available for selection for Sussex’s excursions to Worcestershire (May 4) and Leicestershire (May 11), as well as a home game against Marnus Labuschagne’s Glamorgan team on May 18 at The 1st Central County Ground.

India’s seasoned top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who had previously agreed to return to Sussex in October 2022 for the 2023 season, will be Smith’s colleague at Sussex.

“I am excited about joining Sussex for a few games in May and hopefully making a contribution to a successful season. I am particularly looking forward to working with the younger players in the squad and hoping I can provide some guidance to them,” said Smith in a media release.

After making his international Test debut in 2010, Smith went on to succeed Michael Clarke as Australia’s 45th Test captain in 2015. His ability to score runs was unaffected by the added responsibility of captaincy, as evidenced by the six hundreds he scored in his first eight Tests as captain, which helped him reach the top of the ICC Men’s Test Batting rankings.

Since then, he has participated in 92 Test matches for Australia, amassing 8647 runs at an exceptional average of 60.89, including 37 half-centuries and 30 centuries. Smith currently ranks below the illustrious Australian batsman Don Bradman in both the ICC Men’s Test Batting rankings and the ICC All-Time Test Rankings.

Rob Andrew, Sussex Cricket CEO, expressed happiness on roping in a batter of Smith’s calibre albeit for a short period at Sussex.

“We are thrilled to have Steve Smith available for our County Championship matches in May. 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,” Andrew said.

“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,” he added.

After hearing about the long-term knee injury suffered by West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales, Sussex underlined that they are also continuing their quest for an international bowler for the forthcoming County Championship season.

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