Former Australian skipper Steve Smith is likely to open the batting against South Africa in the upcoming three-match T20 series following his impressive performance in the Big Bash League. The 34-year-old found himself out of the playing 11 due to his form in T20 cricket.
Steve Smith has been an exceptional player for Australia across all three formats of the game and was an instrumental figure in Australia’s 2015 ODI World Cup triumph on home soil, scoring the winning boundary and their T20 World Cup victory in 2021 but his strike rate and power hitting ability came under the scanner following his string poor performance in the T20 format.
Australia’s Chairman of Selectors George Bailey revealed that Australia would try him as an opener in the three-match series against Australia given the role of opener being vacant in the team following the retirement of Aaron Finch earlier this year and the former Australian skipper Bailey hailed Smith for his impressive performance in the Big Bash as he wants him to emulate the same performance for Australia.
“He’s the one guy out of those multi-format players heading across (for the T20s). We wanted to give him that opportunity.
“It was pretty exhilarating, his innings in the Big Bash, and I thought it highlighted the skill set he has and what he can do. The way he played in the Big Bash, we wanted to see that replicated internationally,” George Bailey said.
The veteran has become renowned as a big match for the Aussies in big games, providing some vital runs for the team in crucial moments of the game, and will look to take up the role of the opener in the team to seal his place for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.
Steve Smith Was Really Keen To Come Across And Be A Part Of That – George Bailey
George Bailey revealed that Steve Smith is keen to be part of the Australian T20 setup and reckons he would play all three games against South Africa in T20 cricket, as he might be rested for the two one-days to keep fully fit for the ODI World Cup 2023 in India
“He was really keen to come across and be a part of that. That may mean he has a rest through a couple of the one-dayers (against South Africa).
“Certainly excited to see him bring that Big Bash opening outlook into that role internationally,” George Bailey added.