Veteran Australia batter Steve Smith hasn't given up on making his comeback to T20Is even after being snubbed from the squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan and the 2026 T20 World Cup. He is yet to make an appearance in the format since February, 2024. With the 36-year-old having already announced his retirement from ODIs, he has only been active in Test cricket for almost two years now.
Smith, who recently scored a superb century for Sydney Sixers in the ongoing season of the Big bash League, is still aiming to make a return to T20Is and is looking to do so in the 2028 LA Olympics. Cricket is set to make a long return to the games and the batter wants to be a part of it.
“I always want to play for Australia in big tournaments. But I think that ship’s sailed. I reckon they’ve got two opening batters that are doing pretty well. I’m relaxed doing what I can here and having some fun," Smith was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“My main goal, as I’ve said before, is to get in the team when the Olympics is rolling around. I’d be keen to do that. That’d be pretty cool. Keep doing what I’m doing and you never know," he added.
Bailey explains Smith's snub
Australia chief selector George Bailey kept the door open for Smith's T20I return and explained that they didn't take him in the squad for the Pakistan series as they have their bases covered when it comes to the top-order.
"It's a great problem to have, isn't it? He's playing incredibly well, as he has done in the BBL for the last couple of years, in a position that we've got really good coverage in. But if there were moving parts and something was required around there, no doubt his name would be in the mix," Bailey said.
Smith's numbers in T20Is
Despite not having featured in the format for quite some time now, Smith has substantial experience in the format. He has played a total of 67 T20Is so far, scoring 1094 runs including five half-centuries. He has a decent strike-rate of 125.45 and an average of 24.56 in the format. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to make his return to the T20I set-up after the World Cup.