Hopefully Pujara and I can spend a bit of time together in the middle and learn more about each other: Steve Smith

Ahead of the World Test Championship finale against India and the upcoming Ashes tour, star Australia batter Steve Smith has signed up for a short stint with Sussex County to get acclimatised to the English condition. Notably, it’s the same club that Cheteshwar Pujara is a part of and thus, this is for the first time when these two modern-day greats will play for the first time in the same team.

Speaking about the prospect of pairing up with the Indian cricketer, Smith talked about their rivalry in international cricket and also shared the idea of learning from each other in the ongoing County Championship Division Two. Moreover, Smith is keen to learn about Pujara as a person while sharing their cricketing knowledge with each other.

“The day I don’t want to keep getting better and learning is the day I would probably call it quits. I am keen to play with Puj (Pujara) as well. I have played against him a lot, seen him score a lot of runs against me. Hopefully, we can spend a bit of time together in the middle and learn more about each other,” Smith told the Sussex Cricket website.

“You are playing for the same team, have seen that for years playing the IPL While you are playing with each other you try as hard as you can have to success as a team and we will take care of their rest later on,” the 33-year-old added.

Futhermore. Steve Smith did not shy away from talking about his best friend and fellow Australian batter Labuschagne. There was no possibility that Smith won't remember his friend when both are going to be a part of the County Championship. Hence, the New South Wales-born is excited about facing Marnus as a bowler as the latter thinks he can get Smith out off his bowling.

Labuschagne thinks he is going to get me out: Smith

Notably, Smith’s national teammate Marnus Labuschagne has signed up with Glamorgan County in the ongoing competition. Courtesy of this, these two will soon come face to face when Sussex takes on Glamorgan on May 18. Ahead of that, Smith revealed Labuschagne wants to get the cricketer out and thus, he expects some fun in the middle.

“There has been a bit of banter. He thinks he is going to get me out. We will see what happens. Maybe he will come into bowl when I come in. I am sure it would be good fun,” Smith said.

“It is nice to be here. I have always wanted to play county cricket and it is going to be my first time which is hard to believe,” Smith added when asked about his experience so far.