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Australia's legendary pacer Glenn McGrath hasn't held back in his criticism for team's early ouster from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The team and the selection panel has drawn the ire of greats. An in-form Steve Smith's absence has been widely discussed as well. While Smith proved his batting prowess in the format in the Big Bash League (BBL), he wasn’t considered. Even as a replacement player, he was benched in a must-win game in Sri Lankan conditions which demanded resolute. While Smith has expressed his desire to play in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, McGrath has a piece of advice for the 36-year-old.
"We'll wait and see," McGrath said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. "He's one of the greats but you've got to keep enjoying it and keep looking at ways to improve. I guess he had two ways to go: he can either retire from the game or enjoy it and keep improving. So the way he finished off the Big Bash season shows that he's still that adaptable player.”
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McGrath wants Smith to bring his 'adaptable' quality from Test cricket to T20Is as well. He believes that the modern-day batting great has hunger to perform. He awaits how Smith navigates his T20I career in the coming days.
"In his peak, he was adaptable at Test cricket. If they set an off-side field and bowled those lengths he could just walk across and adapt. I think that was his strength. That he didn't have a set technique and could adapt to any situation. So it shows he's still got a bit of hunger there. Let's see what he's got left in him," the 56-year-old said.
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Smith shifts focus to T20 career
Smith will have a point to prove as he gears up to make his Pakistan Super League (PSL) debut for Sialkot Stallionz. He has already opted out of New South Wales’ remaining two Sheffield Shield 2025-26 league stage games.
Currently, Australia don’t have a T20I series scheduled in the near future. Their next assignment at home is a historic two-Test series against Bangladesh. Then, they will head to South Africa for a three-Test and three-ODI series. The focus now shifts to ODIs ahead of ODI World Cup 2027 on South Africa soil.
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