Steve Smith is reportedly close to finalising a deal to play for Sussex in the County Championship as part of his preparation for the Ashes.
Smith has never played in the County Championship before and could play in up to four games for the Division Two side. According to the Daily Mail, a deal between Smith and Sussex is 'close to being finalised'.
The report states that Smith will feature for the county in the lead-up to the Ashes, which starts on June 16 at Edgbaston, and will help him acclimatise to English conditions. Australia also look set to reach the World Test Championship final, which will take place ahead of the Ashes at the Oval.
Smith last played domestic cricket in England back in 2010 when he played five T20 games for Worcestershire, scoring 67 runs and taking six wickets. England captain Ben Stokes has previously admitted he would "prefer" it if counties did not sign any Australian players in an Ashes year.
"I guess it's good for the county game to see players of Steve's calibre want to come over and play," he said in December. "But I don't know.
"I think it's one of those where you'd probably prefer them not to get any game time out here before the Ashes. But at the same time, it is what it is."
Former England head coach Trevor Bayliss previously called for counties to stop signing Australian players, pointing out that the practice would never be reciprocated and English players would not be allowed to feature in the Sheffield Shield ahead of an Ashes tour Down Under.
Speaking during the 2017-18 series, Bayliss said: "Cricket Australia won't let them come out and play Shield cricket, that is for sure. Maybe we should look at the other way and stop a few Aussie boys going over there to get the experience."
Smith will not be the only Australian playing County Championship cricket this year, with star batter Marnus Labuschagne set to return for another stint with Glamorgan and fringe players Marcus Harris and Michael Neser hoping to push their case for the Ashes.
