Former Australia captain Michael Clarke is not happy with Australian selectors picking Steve Smith in the T20I squad for three-T20I series against South Africa starting August 30. Smith has been given the role of opener in T20Is, something at which he excelled in his breakthrough Big Bash League season for Sydney Sixers. Clarke feels that Smith’s selection is baffling since he did not get a chance in T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia where the defending champions could not even progress to the semi-finals.
“I don’t understand. That, to me, is embarrassing for the selectors. They had him in the World Cup squad last year, and he couldn’t make the XI. He doesn’t get a game, we go terribly in the World Cup.
“Selections over the past 15 months have been absolutely confusing. Smith not playing in that World Cup, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There’s just no accountability. It’s just swept under the carpet. I feel like I’m just watching a different game,” Clarke told Big Sports Breakfast.
Clarke also pointed out that Smith has not played enough T20 cricket around the world of late.
“I don’t know what they’re thinking with Smithy in the T20s. I don’t think he’s playing any other T20 cricket around the world. He’s not getting a gig in the IPL, didn’t get picked up there,” he added.
In the previous season of BBL, Smith opened the innings and a few changes to his techniques helped him score back-to-back centuries. The 34-year-old is ecstatic to get the opportunity to open the batting.
“They said they were going to give me an opportunity up the top a couple of weeks ago. It was something I jumped at, I haven’t done a great deal of it. It was something I did in the Big Bash, I had a bit of success up there. It’s the place you want to bat, probably, in T20 cricket or white-ball cricket altogether. I’m getting the opportunity and hopefully, I can take it with both hands," Smith told SEN radio.
The 34-year-old has played a total of 63 T20Is and scored 1,008 runs from 51 innings at an average of 25.20 and a strike rate of 125.21. He has hit four half-centuries in the format on the international stage.
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