Australia stars 'queuing up for pre-Ashes county stints' after Steve Smith deal

23 January 2023 , 15:33

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Steve Smith will play three games for Sussex ahead of the Ashes (Image: Getty Images)

A number of Australian cricketers are reportedly keen to follow Steve Smith's lead and sign up for pre-Ashes stints in the County Championship.

Smith has joined Sussex for a brief spell ahead of the Ashes and is due to play three games against Worcestershire, Leicestershire and Glamorgan.

And it seems he will not be the last Australia star to enjoy some pre-Ashes preparation in the County Championship with the Daily Mail reporting that left-arm quick Mitchell Starc is among those also eyeing county stints.

The report states that counties have 'directly approached' both Starc and the uncapped Lance Morris, who could make his Test debut against India next month. Starc has decided to once again snub the IPL and is available to feature in the County Championship as a result.

Veteran opener Usman Khawaja is also said to be keen on a County Championship stint ahead of the Ashes, having previously represented Derbyshire, Lancashire and Glamorgan.

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The report also claims Matt Renshaw and Travis Head, who are among the Australia stars without IPL deals, could also sign with counties. Renshaw has previously played for Somerset and Kent, while Head has spent time at Yorkshire, Worcestershire and Sussex.

Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne will return to Glamorgan for a fourth stint at the county after signing a new two-year deal and he will be joined in Wales by fringe Australian bowler Michael Neser.

Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Starc could also be set for pre-Ashes county stints (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Opener Marcus Harris, who featured in the last Ashes series, is also set for another year at Gloucestershire. Smith's move has sparked debate over whether counties should be allowing Australia players game time in England ahead of an Ashes series, but Sussex CEO and former England rugby player Rob Andrew defended the move.

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

"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."

Matthew Cooper