Barbadian Smith signs up for Aussie Big Bash
SYDNEY, Australia (CMC) — Opener Dwayne Smith will turn out in the Australian Big Bash later this year after being snapped up by the Sydney Sixers, for the upcoming campaign in the glitzy Twent 20 league.
The big-hitting right-hander, who last played in the Big Bash in 2009, is coming off an outstanding series in the just concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL) where he helped Barbados Tridents to the title.
“I’m looking forward to playing the games and I’m sure the players will be raring to win games too, so I hope I can just get out there and put my team in a good position or win games for them,” the 31-year-old Barbados and West Indies player said.
“I’m sure the pitches will play differently to places like the West Indies, India and other places like Bangladesh that I’ve played before, so I’m raring to get over there and play for the Sixers.
“I’m going to come and give it my best and hopefully we can see plenty of sixes when it comes my turn to play for the Sixers.”
Smith plundered two centuries during the Barbados leg of the CPL, en route to finishing the tournament with 353 runs at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 133. He was predictably named in the Team of the Tournament.
Earlier this year, Smith also starred in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a franchise-leading 566 runs for Chennai Super Kings. Only Robin Uthappa with 660 runs for champions Kolkata Knight Riders scored more overall.
Sixers coach Trevor Bayliss believes Smith is a fantastic acquisition.
“Dwayne is a powerful, exciting stroke maker at the top of the order,” Bayliss said.
“Since his last stay playing T20 for NSW, Dwayne has made a name for himself in the IPL as the second highest scorer and also hitting the second most number of sixes.
“He also bowls some handy medium pace and his fielding is top class.”
Smith has played 20 Tests, 91 ODIs and 29 T20s for West Indies.