Australian cricket superstar Steve Smith has been selected to captain Welsh Fire men’s team in the inaugural season of The Hundred this summer, bringing international leadership experience to the Cardiff-based squad.
A former Australia captain, Smith brings an enviable record in white-ball cricket to the competition as well as extensive experience from franchise tournaments around the world.
He’ll lead fellow countryman Mitchell Starc and England stars Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton in a squad that features incredible firepower with both bat and ball.
World Cup star Liam Plunkett adds more pace to Fire’s attack that will also include Ravi Rampaul, while short-format specialists Qais Ahmad and Danny Briggs are joined by Simon Harmer in their spin bowling ranks.
Smith said: “It’s an honour to be asked to captain Welsh Fire in the first year of The Hundred. Our squad looks super strong with a great group of players who’ve dominated the international and domestic scenes for the past few years.
“Tom Banton is one of the most exciting young players in the world right now and Mitchell Starc brings the X-factor with the ball, so we’re looking to put on an amazing show for the fans in Cardiff.”
Welsh Fire men’s head coach, Gary Kirsten, said: “Steve’s knowledge and experience of leading teams in pressurised situations will definitely help us in this first season of The Hundred.
“He’s got a track record of getting the best out of his players while performing to a very high standard himself, which will be key for us this summer.”
Smith will lead Welsh Fire in the competition’s opening fixture against Oval Invincibles at the Kia Oval on Friday, 17 July.
Tickets are now on sale for The Hundred through a priority ticket window which is open to all signed up to thehundred.com until 28 Feb. Tickets for under 16s £5 for any match, with a family of four able to attend from £26. Most adult tickets are £30 or less.
For more information and to sign up for priority tickets for The Hundred, visit thehundred.com