Aussie batsman Steve Smith will prepare for the Ashes this summer with a move to Sussex in the County Championship.
Smith, 33, will be available for three matches before the start of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston on June 16.
Australia could also qualify for the World Trials Championship final at the Kia Oval earlier this month.
Smith, who had a spell playing T20 for Worcestershire in 2010, scored 774 points at an average of 110.57 in the last Ashes series in England in 2019.
The former Australia captain scored six centuries in 16 UK Tests.
Currently second in the International Cricket Council’s Test Batting Rankings, Smith is averaging 60.89 in his 92 Test matches.
He could feature for Sussex in the Division Two away matches against Worcestershire and Leicestershire, starting on May 4 and May 11 respectively, ahead of a home game against Glamorgan, which starts on May 18.
“Having arguably the best batter in the world for Sussex just before a much-anticipated Ashes Test series is great for us and for the County Championship,” said Sussex chief executive Rob Andrew.
“Our league form has not been good enough for several years, and under the new leadership of head coach Paul Farbrace, we are looking to be positive and ambitious.
“To be able to attract a player of Steve Smith’s caliber is a huge statement and will be of great benefit to our young homegrown players, especially our crop of talented young hitters.”
More soon.
