Ashes hero Steve Smith 'wary' of facing 'explosive' David Warner in BBL clash

Australian Ashes star Steve Smith has admitted that he is wary of coming up against his national teammate and explosive opener David Warner in the Big Bash League (BBL).

Smith and Warner will come to blows on Saturday, when Smith's Sydney Sixers take on a new-look Sydney Thunder team that boasts the batting talents of Warner and former Test star Michael Hussey.

According to News.com.au, Smith, who will lead the Sixers, said that he is not enthusiastic about facing Warner during their clash as the opener is in the form of his life and playing beautiful cricket since the start of the domestic one-dayers where he scored three hundreds, along with the two tons in the first three Tests and the 80 not out in Adelaide Ashes Test.

Stating that the only way to limiting the damage Warner is capable of inflicting is to get him out early, Smith further said that although it would be tough on his BBL side, he however, is hoping that his side’s bowlers can step up and get the job done.

Smith, who is coming off a man-of-the-match performance in the third Ashes Test in Perth and hardly has time to adjust to the fast-paced, Twenty20 format, will return to the Ashes squad for the final two Tests and believes that if Australia continue the form they are in, then there is every chance of a 5-0 whitewash.