Responding to Michael Clarke’s observations on Steve Smith’s T20 opening position, former Australia Test captain Tim Paine emphasizes that the selection panel, led by George Bailey, is giving Smith a chance to carry his T20 opening batting form into international matches during the T20I series against South Africa.
In the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, Steve Smith will take on the role of opening batsman for Australia. This marks his first time in this position for the national team. In the 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup, Smith had a solitary appearance and managed just one fifty in his last 23 T20I innings.
However, Smith’s remarkable performance with back-to-back centuries for the Sydney Sixers in the previous season’s Big Bash League (BBL) has paved the way for his return to Australia’s T20I lineup. Despite this, Michael Clarke expressed his dismay, pointing out that Smith does not have an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract.
Paine comments, “While Steve Smith is undoubtedly a remarkable player, particularly in the lead-up to the recent World Cup, he wasn’t performing at his best. If we recall the Dubai World Cup in 2021, questions were being raised about his place in the team.”
Paine goes on, “Subsequently, he was replaced by Tim David, a decision that most people seemed to agree with. Digging deeper, Smith’s performance in the 20 innings leading up to the tournament showed an average in the low 20s and a very slow strike rate. When aiming to bat at positions like no. 4 or no. 5, this kind of performance wasn’t up to the mark.”
“His style didn’t suit a middle-order spot that requires power. But circumstances have evolved since then,” Paine adds on SEN Radio.
Indeed, Smith’s exceptional campaign in the 12th season of the BBL saw him play just five matches but maintain a staggering average of 86.5. Moreover, a vacancy at the top of the batting order emerged following Aaron Finch’s retirement from international cricket.
Paine explains, “The situation isn’t embarrassing, it’s just that circumstances have changed. Aaron Finch’s retirement opened up a spot. Since Finch’s departure, Steve Smith, who previously faced challenges in T20, performed exceptionally in the Big Bash League as an opening batter. He earned his spot, potentially ahead of Travis Head, who was another option for the opening position.”
“To label the situation as embarrassing isn’t accurate. The reasons why Smith wasn’t playing earlier are now quite clear. He now has the opportunity in South Africa to demonstrate his T20 opening success at the international level. If he succeeds, he’ll continue to play. If not, players like Travis Head could vie for the spot,” Paine concludes.
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