Australia’s selection committee seemingly tossed logic out the window alongside Steve Smith when they picked the T20 World Cup squad. It is a baffling call, especially since the star batter smashed back-to-back Big Bash League centuries just weeks ago.
By chasing raw power over actual skill, the management is asking for a disaster. They have ignored the lessons of teams that misread pitch conditions. Additionally, they seem to have forgotten that tracks often turn into dustbowls where swinging for the fences just does not work.
Why ignoring Steve Smith for the T20 World Cup spells disaster?
1. The anchor stabilises the collapse
T20 cricket usually calls for quick runs. However, low-scoring nail-biters on turning tracks need a batter who can actually build an innings instead of just swinging blindly. Steve Smith works the field with surgical precision. Most power-hitters, on the other hand, often get out early when the ball starts to grip. When they fail, it leaves the middle order wide open for a total collapse.
2. Consistency over volatility
Tim David has plenty of muscle, but his “hit or miss” style leads to way too many single-digit scores. That inconsistency puts a massive burden on the remaining lineup during a tight chase. Steve Smith is a different story because he is a lock for runs. He makes sure the team reach a total they can actually defend, even if the openers fall early. He is the safety net that aggressive finishers simply cannot provide.
3. Mastering spin demands technique
Spinning pitches are a nightmare for batters who play across the line. Even so, the selectors packed the squad with players who cannot handle top-tier spin. Steve Smith uses his feet and soft hands to take the sting out of turning balls. This lets the 36-year-old keep the scoreboard moving even when the boundaries stop coming.
4. Pressure defines knockout games
History demonstrates that high-stakes finals usually shut down free-flowing play. Those moments need a cool head to steady the ship. Steve Smith showed exactly what he was made of during the ODI World Cup win. Meanwhile, inexperienced sloggers often fold under the massive pressure of a major tournament.
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5. The recent BBL evidence
Critics claim Steve Smith is too slow, but his recent BBL form proves them wrong. In those matches, he cleared the ropes easily and maintained a high strike rate. Leaving out a player who can pair that new aggression with world-class technique is a massive mistake that Australia might live to regret.
