Steve Smith has expressed his willingness to actively perform in the T20 format. The star Australian batter is considered one of the most successful Test batters. However, his inclusion in the shortest format of the game hasn’t been consistent. Moreover, if included he’s given the role of an anchor. And not for the template brute hitting required in T20s. However, now Smith believes he’s transitioned to be the right fit in the team for the format.
“I feel like when I’m playing good T20 cricket, I’m in that team (T20 World Cup) for sure,” Smith said in a recent interaction ahead of Australia’s second ODI against Zimbabwe. “The role that I’ve been given the last couple of years is the ‘Mr. Fix It’ role and that tag’s been taken away from me now,” he added.
Smith’s recently scored of 37* off 27 against Sri Lanka. The score brought him into the limelight as a dependable option for the shorter format too. And Smith himself believes that he can be the right fit in the team for the T20 World Cup. Given he continues to play similarly as he did against Sri Lanka.
Australia will seek to defend the cup in the upcoming season scheduled in October-November this year. “For the Sri Lanka tour, and I felt like I could go out and just play with a lot more freedom and naturally and not have any kind of hesitation in the back of my mind,” he said.
“I can just take the game on and if I want to smack someone for six first ball, then I’m able to do that freely. When I’m playing my best, I play freely. I watch the ball and hit the gaps and just look to use the middle of my bat as much as possible,” Smith added.
Steve Smith talks about Mitchell Marsh as he suffers an injury
Mitchell Marsh is OUT of the five remaining home ODIs against Zimbabwe and New Zealand with an ankle injury. Fingers crossed he's OK for the T20 World Cup.
Josh Inglis has been called up but Marnus Labuschagne would surely have to be in contention even as a number five #AUSvZIM pic.twitter.com/FSbaQi7qkJ
— 🏏Flashscore Cricket (@FlashCric) August 30, 2022
Moreover, Smith also talked about the currently injured Mitchell Marsh. The all-rounder played an important role in Australia’s T20 World Cup win last year. It’s still unclear if Marsh’s ankle injury will allow him in the campaign or not. However, Smith who plays at the same position as Marsh wished him a speedy recovery.
“It’s obviously not ideal for Mitch. He’s been playing some really good white-ball cricket recently,” he said. “He was obviously a big part of our T20 World Cup campaign last year and I’m sure there’s big plans for him this year, so I think the priority is to get him right for that,” Steve Smith added.
