Scorchers look to former SA captain
Graeme Smith has long wanted to call the WACA Ground home and may get his chance this summer after an approach from Perth Scorchers coach Justin Langer.
The former South Africa captain, whose need for knee surgery in June ended his county stint at Surrey, is the Scorchers' prime recruiting target.
After Michael Klinger was revealed yesterday as the team's most recent signing - one of the worst-kept secrets in Australian cricket given he joined the Warriors in April - Langer confirmed that he was keen to recruit his former Test opponent.
"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."
A bulky batsman who lumbered through 117 Test matches, Smith was an adept Twenty20 player who thrived at international level with 982 runs at a strike rate of 127.
Smith would have to prove his fitness after the surgery while complications may arise over his Surrey medical payout.
Veteran spinner Brad Hogg, 43, is almost certain to continue.
Perth need to sign two overseas players, while two more local spots would have to be filled should Hogg play on.
