Australian superstar Steve Smith will captain Welsh Fire men’s team. He brings international leadership experience to the Cardiff-based squad.

A former Australia captain. An enviable record in white-ball cricket. Experience from franchise tournaments around the world. Smith has done it all. 

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He’ll lead fellow countryman Mitchell Starc plus England stars Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton. It's a squad that features incredible firepower with both bat and ball.

Smith said: “It’s an honour to be asked to captain Welsh Fire in the first year of The Hundred. Our squad looks super strong with a great group of players who’ve dominated the international and domestic scenes for the past few years.

“Tom Banton is one of the most exciting young players in the world right now and Mitchell Starc brings the X-factor with the ball, so we’re looking to put on an amazing show for the fans in Cardiff.”

Welsh Fire men’s head coach, Gary Kirsten, said: “Steve’s knowledge and experience of leading teams in pressurised situations will definitely help us in this first season of The Hundred."

“He’s got a track record of getting the best out of his players while performing to a very high standard himself, which will be key for us this summer.”

Smith will lead Welsh Fire in the competition’s opening fixture against Oval Invincibles at the Kia Oval on Friday, 17 July.

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