The Sydney Sixers have confirmed a massive coup ahead of KFC BBL|12, with Australian superstar Steve Smith agreeing to return to the club he captained to the inaugural BBL title.


One of the sport’s all-time greats, Smith is set to return home after the Sixers struck a deal for him to join their squad as a replacement player, seeing the prolific run-scorer pull on magenta for the first time since BBL|09 when he was part of the title winning team.


The 33-year-old, who captained Australia in last week’s Test match in Adelaide, will be formally named as a replacement player for one of the Sixers international recruits when they depart in January, following the completion of Smith’s international commitments.


Sixers fans will have the opportunity to see Smith in action for as many as four regular season matches – in addition, potentially, to finals – starting with the clash with the defending champion Perth Scorchers at the SCG on January 15, followed by fixtures against the Adelaide Strikers in Coffs Harbour two days later, the Sydney Smash at the SCG on January 21 and a trip to face the Hurricanes in Hobart on January 23.


The obvious highlight of those matches – the Sydney Smash – now looms as the most highly anticipated contest of the summer with Smith and Sydney Thunder recruit, David Warner, set to face off at the Sixers’ traditional home ground in front of a bumper crowd.


Head of Sydney Sixers, Jonathan Robinson-Lees said the club was over the moon after Smith agreed to become a replacement player upon his availability.


“Steve and his management recently confirmed he will be available to play in this summer’s Big Bash, after his international commitments have finished in January.” Robinson-Lees said.


“That is great news for the Sixers, the BBL and for fans.


“We are really excited for the team and especially our fans, who will now get to see one of the world’s greatest players in magenta this summer.”


A two-time BBL Championship player and member of the 2012 Champions League title-winning outfit, Smith’s name remains etched into the history of the Sydney Sixers.


Captaining the side to their first ever Big Bash title, Smith lifted the trophy alongside legends of the game, Brett Lee, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood, as well as current Sixers stars Moises Henriques and Steve O’Keefe.


The return of the superstar will see him reunited with long-time friends, Henriques and O’Keefe, bringing together three foundation players of the club.


Henriques, who alongside Smith, is the only other Sixer to captain the club to win BBL titles, said the veteran’s commitment to the Sixers has never been in question.


“Steve Smith is a Sixer. He has been part of this club from the start, and he will be part of this club for as long as he wants to be,” Henriques said.


“He has always known that the door is open to him playing with us again and we are really excited that our fans will get to see him in four matches in the latter half of the season, including two at the SCG.


“He’s focussed on the Test summer right now but once that is over, we will welcome him back with open arms.”


Accumulating, 714 runs across 30 appearances in magenta, Smith provides not only an obvious option in the top-order but also the insights of one of the greatest minds in the game.


Smith’s best innings remains a match-winning 66 not out at the SCG in BBL|09, helping the Sixers claw home against the Melbourne Renegades in a final-ball thriller.


Smith will be available to media in due course.