Steve Smith is reportedly a chance of playing this year’s Hundred competition in the United Kingdom as the Australian superstar closes in on a deal with the Welsh Fire.
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According to several reports, including ESPNcricinfo, The Times and The Telegraph, the Cardiff-based franchise are in discussions to sign Smith for the fifth edition of the tournament, which takes place in August. The deal will need to be completed before this Sunday’s deadline for direct signings.
This season, each of the Hundred’s eight teams are permitted to sign a player before March’s draft, while the top salary bracket in the men’s competition has increased from £125,000 (AU$248,000) to £200,000 (AU$397,000).
Earlier this month, 50 per cent of the Welsh Fire was purchased by IT entrepreneur Sanjay Govil, who owns Major League Cricket franchise the Washington Freedom. Smith represented the Freedom, who have a partnership with Cricket New South Wales, during last year’s MLC campaign.
Smith has never played in the Hundred, although he was set to play for the Welsh Fire in 2020 before the competition’s inaugural season was postponed due to Covid-19.
The 36-year-old, who missed selection for last year’s T20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies, cracked an unbeaten 121 while representing the Sydney Sixers during last month’s Big Bash League match against the Perth Scorchers at the SCG.
Smith, currently leading Australia in the Champions Trophy, will miss this year’s MLC tournament due to international commitments with the three-Test tour of the West Indies. However, the Hundred could clash with Australia’s white-ball series against South Africa, which comprises three ODIs and three T20s in August, although dates and venues are yet to be confirmed.
Fox Cricket reached out to Cricket Australia for comment.
Several of Australia’s multi-format players have skipped bilateral white-ball series to manage their workloads — captain Pat Cummins missed last year’s white-ball tour of the United Kingdom having represented the San Francisco Unicorns in the MLC during the winter.
Meanwhile, Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who recently announced his retirement from ODIs, is reportedly set to sign with the Trent Rockets. The West Australian played five matches for the Rockets in 2022, scoring 59 runs at 14.75 and taking two wickets at 42.00.
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