Australia batter Smith joins Welsh Fire for 2025

Steve Smith is currently in Pakistan captaining Australia in the Champions Trophy

Australia batter Steve Smith will play for Welsh Fire in the Hundred this summer.

Smith, 35, is the Cardiff-based franchise's first 'direct signing' joining on deadline day prior to the Hundred Draft on Wednesday, 12 March.

Smith was initially signed to Fire for the planned first year of The Hundred before it was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

"I'm delighted to be joining Welsh Fire later this summer," said Smith.

"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."

Smith will join a squad which includes Tom Abell and Jonny Bairstow and is coached by fellow Australian Mike Hussey.

The Welsh Fire women's squad have secured the return of overseas trio Hayley Matthews, Jess Jonassen and Shabnim Ismail, as well as captain Tammy Beaumont.

This year is the first in which teams have been able to sign one men's and one women's player directly via private negotiations, rather than having to sign players through The Hundred draft.

Smith has scored more than 10,000 runs in Test cricket and almost 7,000 in limited overs internationals.

He has a close relationship with Washington Freedom owner Sanjay Govil, who agreed to buy a 50% stake in Welsh Fire last month.

Freedom won the second season of Major League Cricket with Smith as skipper and Ricky Ponting as coach.

"I've watched The Hundred from afar and I can't wait to be involved," added Smith

"It looks a lot of fun and obviously the cricket is world class, with talent at every team.

"I'm looking forward to trying out a new format and hopefully playing my part for Mike Hussey and the rest of the boys."

The Hundred returns to Cardiff for its fifth year on 9 August, with the double-header visit of London Spirit.

In 2024, Beaumont led the women's side to the final at Lords where they were beaten by London Spirit.

"It means a lot to me to be returning to Welsh Fire once again," said Beaumont, who has played for the franchise since 2022.

"Over the past few years, we've built a strong core of players, and it's great to see so many of them returning as we look to build on that together for another season.

"I can't wait to get back to Sophia Gardens and play in front of our amazing Cardiff crowd.

"We're determined to go all the way and win the competition this year after missing out so narrowly at Lord's in 2024."

How the squads look so far

Welsh Fire Men: Steve Smith, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Abell, Luke Wells, Steven Eskinasi

Welsh Fire Women: Hayley Matthews, Tammy Beaumont, Jessica Jonassen, Shabnim Ismail, Sarah Bryce, Georgia Elwiss, Freya Davies, Georgia Davis, Emily Windsor, Beth Langston.