Australian vice-captain Steve Smith's chances of featuring in BBL|12 have reportedly taken a hit as negotiations between the international star, Cricket Australia and the Sydney Sixers continue.
Several Australian figures are set to return to the domestic T20 competition this season despite the lure of new South African and UAE leagues, while some international stars are set to share their summers across the trio of competitions.
Aussie opener David Warner was also reported to be tempted by opportunities overseas instead of down under, however landed an agreement with the Sydney Thunder for the upcoming BBL season with help from CA.
Warner is understood to be earning in the vicinity of $150,000 from the Thunder for his services this summer, while Cricket Australia have thrown in more than double that figure to lock the 35-year-old on a domestic deal.
According to News Corp, Smith had been hoping for a similar offer for his next deal in the BBL, a plea Cricket Australia won't be placing on the table.
The middle-order maestro told the publication he remains hopeful a deal can be reached as he currently sits in a standoff with the governing body.
“It would certainly give me something to think about, yeah,” Smith said.
“There's still a while before those games that we're all available for, so we'll wait and see.
“...The Sixers are great. I've loved working with the Sixers for a long time.”
The Sixers' current offer for Smith is understood to be close to $145,000 for five appearances for the Sydney franchise, $100,000 of which is from outside the salary cap as an 'Additional Service Agreement'.
Smith has sporadically featured for the Sixers since his debut with the club in their inaugural campaign in 2011/12, a season that saw the New South Wales side claim the championship.
The Sixers are already home to several Australian representatives, including Moises Henriques, Sean Abbott and Josh Philippe, while they recruited English duo Chris Jordan and James Vince, and Afghan teenager Izharulhaq Naveed through the recent BBL Draft.