Steve Smith England career: Was Steve Smith eligible to play international cricket for England?

World’s second-ranked men’s Test batter at present, Steve Smith, has been signed by England’s oldest First-Class County Cricket side Sussex on a short-term deal for this year’s County Championship.

“I am excited about joining Sussex for a few games in May and hopefully making a contribution to a successful season,” remarked Smith while conforming his decision to join the team.

The Australian vice-captain will be available during Sussex’s three County matches against Worcestershire (May 4), Leicestershire (May 11), and finally against Glamorgan at home (May 18), where he is likely to be up against his fellow Aussie teammate Marnus Labuschagne.

The three matches would make way for Smith’s ideal preparation for the Ashes series this year in England, and their likely appearance in the World Test Championship final as well earlier, in June.

Steve Smith England career

Steve Smith will make his debut appearance in the red-ball format for an English county Cricket side. However, the 33-year-old had played five T20 matches for Worcestershire in the year 2010.

Earlier, in the year 2007, Smith had a wonderful opportunity to sign a three-year deal worth around £30,000 per year for Surrey, and even played a couple of matches for Surrey 2nd XI.

However, with the goal to play international Cricket for Australia, the country where he grew up and learnt the basics of the sport, Smith decided against accepting the offer and went on to play for New South Wales.

Smith also played a lone match for Kent 2nd XI earlier that year.

Was Steve Smith eligible to play international cricket for England?

Yes, Steve Smith was eligible to play international Cricket for England, and it was former English batter Alan Butcher who had come up with the aforementioned offer for the former in the capacity of the then Surrey team coach.

For those unaware, Smith holds a dual Australian-British passport, courtesy of his London-born mother Gillian.

In his autobiography titled The Journey, he went on to state that had it been about money as the motivator, he might as well would have been seen playing alongside Joe Root and Stuart Broad.