After years of waiting, Steve Smith is finally set to make his highly anticipated debut in The Hundred tonight.
The Australian superstar will take to the field for Welsh Fire as they face the Northern Superchargers at Headingley.
Smith's involvement in the competition has been a long time coming.
He was originally due to play in the inaugural season, but the tournament's delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant fans had to wait.
Now, as the fifth edition of The Hundred gets underway, the former Australian captain is ready to make his mark.
Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Smith expressed his excitement. "I was due to be involved with The Hundred at the beginning of the competition so it's great to finally be able to make it to Wales," Smith said.
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"I've watched The Hundred from afar and I can't wait to be involved. It looks a lot of fun and obviously the cricket is world-class, with talent at every team."
For Smith, The Hundred is more than just a new experience; it's a vital part of his grand plan.
Having retired from ODI cricket, he is openly targeting a return to Australia's T20I side and a place in the squad for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"My next goal is to be a part of the Olympics team in LA. So, for me, it was about letting go of one-day cricket and enabling me to play in a few more short format events and try and get better at it," he explained.
Welsh Fire, coached by Australian legend Mike Hussey, will be hoping Smith's unique and innovative batting style can provide the stability and firepower they need.
They will be up against a Northern Superchargers side eager to start their campaign strongly on their home ground.
Tonight's match at Headingley promises to be a thrilling contest, not least because of Smith's debut.
Cricket fans across the UK will be eager to see how one of the game's greatest Test batters adapts his skills to the frantic, hundred-ball format.
The match is part of a double-header, with the women's teams also playing earlier in the day.
The men's game between Northern Superchargers and Welsh Fire is set to begin at 6:30 PM BST.
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