Steve Smith’s T20I career seemed done and dusted after the T20 World Cup 2022, wherein he featured in only 1 match. But now, with some stunning displays of batting in the Big Bash League (BBL), Steve Smith might have one more go at the shortest format.
Smith was always the likeliest candidate to face the axe from Australia’s XI when Tim David was included in the setup. Smith didn’t feature in the first 4 group matches at the T20 World Cup 2022, and only got to play in the last game, against Afghanistan, when Aaron Finch was injured. 4 runs in 4 balls in that game against Afghanistan and it felt that was the last time we all saw Steve Smith in a T20I.
However, things might have changed a little bit, and not just the Australian selectors, but even Steve Smith, aged 33, currently could look for a shot at the mid-year T20 World Cup 2024.
Why has this mood about Steve Smith in T20s changed?
On his return to the BBL, Steve Smith has smashed 328 runs in only 4 innings at an average of 109 and strike rate of 180!
Playing for the Sydney Sixers, Steve Smith cracked back-to-back centuries in consecutive matches and one more half-century, helping Sixers finish at the second spot in the points table and seal the place in the Qualifier against table toppers Perth Scorchers, the match will be played on Saturday in Perth.
Steve Smith is the first player ever for Sydney Sixers to hit two BBL centuries in the men’s BBL.
Against the Adelaide Strikers, Steve Smith whacked 101(56), followed by 125*(66) against the city rivals, Sydney Thunder. He continued his thunderous T20 form and ransacked 66(33) against Hobart Hurricanes. Sydney Sixers won all three matches, and Steve Smith was named the Player of the Match in all these three games.
However, the toughest of the opponents in the BBL that Steve Smith will face are the Perth Scorchers in the Qualifier, and facing the Perth Scorchers bowlers in Perth is altogether a different challenge. The winner will seal a place in the final, while the loser still gets another shot at the final.
Steve Smith’s form in BBL an indicator of his happy mental space and technical comfort, ominous signs ahead of Test series against India
