Steve Smith has been rewarded for his Big Bash League heroics, with the Australian superstar slated to open the batting in the upcoming three-match T20 series against South Africa.
The 34-year-old was dropped for white-ball globetrotter Tim David ahead of last year’s T20 World Cup, scoring 4 (4) in his lone appearance for Australia during the tournament.
However, Smith proved he was still a T20 weapon with back-to-back centuries for the Sydney Sixers in last season’s BBL, smacking 101 (56) against the Adelaide Strikes in Coffs Harbour and an unbeaten 125 (66) against the Sydney Thunder at the SCG. They remain the two highest scores by a Sixers player in BBL history.
On Monday afternoon, Australia unveiled its T20 squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of South Africa, with chair of selectors George Bailey confirming that Smith would open the batting.
The New South Welshman has never opened for Australia in the game’s shortest format, having previously batted everywhere from No. 3 to No. 9.
“He’s the one guy out of that multi-format players heading across (for the T20s). We wanted to give him that opportunity,” Bailey explained.
“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.
“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.”
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Smith could potentially open the batting alongside Australian veteran David Warner at next year’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States of America. However, Warner has been rested for the T20 series in South Africa, along with several of Australia’s Ashes players.
After Aaron Finch retired from international cricket earlier this year, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short and Marcus Stoinis have emerged as the candidates to open the batting with Smith in South Africa.
Australia’s first T20 against the Proteas gets underway in Durban on August 30.
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