Steve Smith's whiff of desperation to secure Balmain tenant

There's a whiff of desperation from former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith with his vacant contemporary Balmain new-build investment.

The banned skipper, who is unavailable to play international and national cricket after his part in the ball-tampering scandal, initially sought tenants for the townhouse mid-last month.

This week Smith indicated his amplified keenness for some income.

The home initially came without any rental price indication, but is now advertised at $2,500 a week.

But an e-mail from Cobden & Hayson leasing agent Kate Ferrante to those who's previously enquired suggesting the landlord's desire to get it leased.

"The landlords have advised us to advertise the property with a weekly rental of $2500 and to advise that this can be negotiated.

Smith has been working on the home build for the past couple of years after spending $2 million on a cottage on nearly 200 sqm in 2015.

It was his first purchase on the Balmain peninsula, which was soon followed by a two bedroom townhouse then another knockdown rebuild in Birchgrove.

His total portfolio on the peninsula stands at over $4 million, not including his home in Coogee and another two investments, one in San Souci and the other in Marrickville.

Smith was one of the three banned in the ball tampering scandal which rocked world cricket.

This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.