Scorchers target ex-Protea Smith

Perth Scorchers coach Justin Langer has expressed his interest in signing recently retired South Africa captain Graeme Smith for the next season of the KFC T20 Big Bash League.  

With the exit of their own retired skipper, Simon Katich, Smith looms as a like-for-like replacement, with the left-handed batsman bringing batting class, leadership and experience to the table.

 “We are looking at a top-order batsman as one of our overseas players,” Langer said.

“The great thing about Graeme Smith is his leadership and with the retirement of Simon Katich, he would be an ideal replacement.

“The strategy for three years has been to get players who can bring great leadership as well as skill and would be available for all eight games and finals.

“He’d be an attractive package, there’s no doubt about that. We’ll keep talking to him.”

Smith retired from international cricket following the Proteas’ Test series defeat to Australia in March, then announced he was quitting all forms of the game in June after a chronic knee injury required surgery.

The Scorchers have also lost the services of big-hitting opener Craig Simmons, who moved to Adelaide Strikers, while experienced top-order batsman Michael Klinger was yesterday confirmed as the club’s latest recruit.