Australian star Smith signs up for Hundred
Australian cricket star Steve Smith has signed a £200,000 deal to play for Welsh Fire in the 2025 season of The Hundred. Smith was initially set to join the team during the competition's inaugural season in 2020, but his participation was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Expressing his enthusiasm, Smith stated, "I was due to be involved with The Hundred at the beginning of the competition so it's great to finally be able to make it to Wales."
The 2025 season of The Hundred has seen a significant increase in top player salaries, with the highest contracts rising by 60% to £200,000. This boost aims to attract high-caliber overseas talent, and the strategy appears successful, as notable players like Afghanistan's Rashid Khan have also signed on, joining Oval Invincibles for £120,000.
The tournament is scheduled to run from August 5 to 31, 2025, featuring both men's and women's teams. In the women's competition, Australian captain Meg Lanning has signed with Oval Invincibles, while other prominent players such as New Zealand's Trent Boult and South Africa's David Miller have joined various teams, enhancing the tournament's international appeal.
England's Test captain, Ben Stokes, will not participate in this year's tournament to manage his workload ahead of the winter Ashes series.
The Hundred continues to evolve, attracting top-tier talent and offering exciting cricketing action for fans worldwide.
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