9. Steve Smith – Australia
2013 IPL stats
Batting:
Matches: 7
Not outs: 3
Runs: 159
Highest score: 41
Average: 39.75
Strike-rate: 120.45
Fours: 15
Sixes: 4
From being touted as the next Shane Warne to emerging as the most promising genuine spin-bowling all-rounder of his country, Steven Smith has captured the imagination of cricket-lovers everywhere.
A solid blonde leg-spinner who deceives the batsman with flight and loop, he is also a hard-hitting batsman who can keep his place in a limited-overs team on batting merit alone.
In 2010, Smith made his international debut in all three formats. While he is yet to get used to the rigours of Test cricket, he has made a bright start in the shorter forms of the game, which also earned him an IPL contract with the Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 2010 season.
He was then taken by the Kochi Tuskers Kerala in the IPL Player Auction 2011, but had to give the tournament a miss due to an ankle injury.
However, PWI fans will always remember Smith thanks to his acrobatic fielding – especially while manning the boundary ropes – during IPL 2012.
The buzz surrounding Australia’s big Ashes win, which Smith played an important role in middle-order, will also bring him extra time when his his the trading block.
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