London, Feb 26 (IANS): Premier Australia batsman Steve Smith will lead the Welsh Fire men's side in the inaugural season of The Hundred this summer.

"It's an honour to be asked to captain Welsh Fire in the first year of The Hundred," Smith was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

Smith was the Cardiff-based team's second selection at the competition player draft behind ace pacer Mitchell Starc.

"Our squad looks super strong with a great group of players who've dominated the international and domestic scenes for the past few years," said Smith who will also lead Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"Tom Banton is one of the most exciting young players in the world right now and Mitchell Starc brings the X factor with the ball, so we're looking to put on an amazing show for the fans in Cardiff."

Welsh Fire men's head coach Gary Kirsten said: "Steve's knowledge and experience of leading teams in pressurised situations will definitely help us in this first season of The Hundred.

"He's got a track record of getting the best out of his players while performing to a very high standard himself, which will be key for us this summer."

The Welsh Fire squad also boasts of the England trio of Banton, Liam Plunkett and Danny Briggs, former West Indies paceman Ravi Rampaul and spin specialists Qais Ahmad and Simon Harmer.

Welsh Fire's play Oval Invincibles in their opening game at The Oval on July 17.