Smith gets into stride in CPL

Steve Smith featured in his second domestic T20 league since he was handed a 12-month ban by Cricket Australia for his involvement in the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ fiasco in South Africa and the right-hander got into his stride pretty quickly, hitting a 37-ball 41 in Barbados Tridents’ 30-run win over Guyana Amazon Warriors.

The former Australia captain only came into the side after Bangladesh’s ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan pulled out of the tournament. Shakib played for Tridents last season.

Smith starred in a crucial match-changing 105-run partnership with West Indies star Shai Hope for the third wicket after Tridents lost two wickets within as many overs.

Hope played an incredible 45-ball 88-run knock, with six fours and six sixes to his name to punish the Warriors’ bowlers. Nicholas Pooran opened his shoulders to strike a quickfire 45 off 27 deliveries in the death overs to take Tridents to 185 for the loss of four wickets.

In reply, the hosts were unable to overhaul the highest T20 total at the spin-friendly venue, restricted to 8-155 as Raymon Reifer snared a five-wicket haul.

Jason Holder, captain of the Barbados Tridents outfit acknowledged the experience that Smith brings into the side.

"Definitely it does (help having Smith's experience)," Holder said in the post-match ceremony.

"We've got a wealth of knowledge on the field.

"Smithy was a successfully captain. He shared a lot of knowledge,” he said.

Guyana had lost their earlier match against Mahmudullah Riyad’s Patriots.

Brief scores:

Barbados Tridents: 185/4 (Hope 88, Pooran 45, Smith 41, Green 1/24)

Guyana Amazon Warriors: (Malik 38, Rutherford 48, Reifer 5/20)

Result: Tridents won by 30 runs