Big Bash League: Steve Smith signs for Sydney Sixers

Sydney Sixers have confirmed that Steve Smith has returned to the franchise for the upcoming Big Bash League season. The franchise announced the news on its official website on Monday. Smith had captained the Sixers to the inaugural BBL title and would join the franchise as a replacement player for one of the international recruits.

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"One of the sport's all-time greats, Smith is set to return home after the Sixers struck a deal for him to join their squad as a replacement player, seeing the prolific run-scorer pull on magenta for the first time since BBL|09 when he was part of the title-winning team."

"The 33-year-old, who captained Australia in last week's Test match in Adelaide, will be formally named as a replacement player for one of the Sixer's international recruits when they depart in January, following the completion of Smith's international commitments," read the statement on the website.

"He's focused on the Test summer right now but once that is over, we will welcome him back with open arms," Henriques on Smith

Smith's longtime friend, Moises Henriques, commented on the news and said that the Australian star can be part of the franchise for as long as he wants.

"Steve Smith is a Sixer. He has been part of this club from the start, and he will be part of this club for as long as he wants to be. He has always known that the door is open to him playing with us again and we are really excited that our fans will get to see him in four matches in the latter half of the season, including two at the SCG."

Moises Henriques said

"He's focused on the Test summer right now but once that is over, we will welcome him back with open arms."

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The Sixers confirmed that Smith will be available for four regular matches in the season and potentially the finals if they qualify. However, the eye-catching fixture will be the Sydney Smash between the Sixers and Thunder, where Smith will lock horns with David Warner.

"Sixers fans will have the opportunity to see Smith in action for as many as four regular season matches – in addition, potentially, to finals – starting with the clash with the defending champion Perth Scorchers at the SCG on January 15, followed by fixtures against the Adelaide Strikers in Coffs Harbour two days later, the Sydney Smash at the SCG on January 21 and a trip to face the Hurricanes in Hobart on January 23," said Sixers in the statement on their website.

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The experienced batter will be returning to the league after a hiatus of almost 2 years where he last donned the magenta jersey in 2020 for four matches scoring 120 runs with one half-century.