Star Australian batter Steve Smith will make a return to Sydney Sixers for the Big Bash League (BBL) season 13, introduced the membership on Monday. Smith can also be prone to be obtainable for the Sydney Smash towards Sydney Thunder on the similar floor on January 12 in a heavyweight conflict with Australian teammate David Warner. One of the game’s all-time biggest, Smith will don the magenta for a second consecutive yr, following his explosive stint for the membership final summer season.

“Australian and Sydney Sixers champion, Steve Smith, is set to return to the club again this summer for BBL|13,” mentioned the group in a press release.

Sixers members and followers can have the chance to see the celebrity in motion on Friday, December 8 when the Sixers kick off their BBL|13 marketing campaign, internet hosting the Melbourne Renegades on the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Notching 346 runs at an unimaginable 86.50 – hanging at a whopping 174.74 – Smith rapidly turned one of many league’s prime run-scorers, regardless of making simply 5 appearances final season. The 34-year-old produced two of essentially the most entertaining performances in Big Bash historical past, notching back-to-back lots of, changing into the fourth Sixer – and first male – to ever smash triple figures.

The mouth-watering conflict with the Melbourne facet will see Smith and his Australian teammate – former Sixer turned Renegade – Nathan Lyon face off for the primary time, in what is about to be one of many most-watched battles of the summer season. The Renegades may even function their recruit, fellow World Cup winner, Adam Zampa.

A member of the membership since its inception, Smith has been a part of the material of the Sixers since day one.

Captaining the membership to their first Big Bash title, the now two-time BBL champion and member of the 2012 Champions League title-winning facet is decided to carry extra success residence to the Sixers.

In 29 BBL matches, Smith has scored 965 runs at a mean of 41.95 and a strike price of over 142, with two centuries and 6 fifties. His greatest rating is 125*.

Speaking from India the place he’s a part of the Australian T20 group, Smith mentioned he was delighted to be again enjoying for a membership that has meant a lot to him for effectively over a decade.

“It is great to be back in the Sixers shirt,” Smith mentioned.

“I have got some really fond memories playing for the Sixers. Obviously, I am an original, part of the first squad and really enjoyed my time last year for the five or six games and the finals that I played so I am keen to get out there again,” he added.

Smith additionally had a message for Sixers members and supporters.

“Sixers fans, just get around the team. We have a wonderful team, wonderful culture and we are looking forward to another great season in the Big Bash,” he mentioned.

Speaking concerning the alternative to play alongside his long-time mate once more this season, Sydney Sixers skipper Moises Henriques mentioned: “Steve is a Sixer through and through. Any opportunity for him to be a part of this group, we will always jump at that chance. It goes without saying that he is one of the best players the game has ever seen. He is obviously someone you want playing in your side, but he is 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,” he added.

Head of Sydney Sixers, Rachael Haynes mentioned the signing was an enormous win for Sixers followers.

“Steve is one of the best players in the world. 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,” mentioned Haynes.

“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.”

“For our members and fans to have the opportunity to see one of the game’s biggest stars at the SCG this summer is a thrill, and we hope to see a packed house at the SCG on December 8,” Haynes concluded.

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