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3 reasons why Steve Smith should be in Australia’s squad for T20 World Cup 2024
Steve Smith has had a mixed bag in T20Is in his career. Till 2016, he was a good batter for Australia and delivered at the highest level. However, for several reasons, he fell off the radar in the shortest format of the game and has not been effective in the format in the last few years. While he has his legacy established in the longer formats, Smith has a lot to prove in T20Is. Performing well in the BBL was the first step towards it.
Big Bash League is a tournament where the pitches are not that easy to bat. In such wickets, Smith scored runs at a brisk rate in the last couple of seasons. He was rewarded with the performances and got an opportunity to open the innings for Australia in the recent series against the West Indies and New Zealand. It looks like the star batter has set his goal to play in the T20 WC 2024, probably for one last time in the format for his nation.
With the T20 WC 2024 just months away from commencing, here are the three reasons why Australia should consider him in the squad for the big tournament.
Also check: 3 reasons why Kuldeep Yadav is a better spinner for India than Ravichandran Ashwin in longer run
3. Experience
Three reasons why Australia should consider Steve Smith in the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 (Source: X)
There is a saying that experience cannot be bought in the market. Players like Smith are valuable for any side they play. They can contribute as a middle-order batter and can open the innings as well. Having played at the highest level and in big tournaments for a long time, Steve would be knowing what it takes to win big tournaments.
Smith has never missed a T20 WC for Australia since 2014. The star player was a part of the Australian squad which won the T20 WC for the first time in 2021. The speciality of Smith is that he never takes things for granted and is aware of what works well for himself and the team. Australia would want his experience for the big tournament.
2. Nature of WI and USA wickets
Three reasons why Australia should consider Steve Smith in the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 (Source: X)
The pitches in the West Indies and the USA have been bowler-friendly. In fact, T20 WC 2024 was mostly played on wickets that are tricky to bat and slow in nature. 2024 is likely to be no different. The wickets at the West Indies always tend to be on the slower side and assist the spinners and the slower pacers well.
Smith is a batter who can play the difficult overs in such pitches. While it is good to stack up all your batters who can be aggressive in the middle, it is important for teams to have one anchor who can hold one end up so that other batters around him can fire. Smith can perform that role very well for Australia.
1. Performances in Knockouts
Three reasons why Australia should consider Steve Smith in the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 (Source: X)
Steve Smith is one of the best players when it comes to performing in the big matches. While he has yet to make an impact in the big matches in the shortest format of the game, Smith does not walk away from the challenges. He can well win a lot of games on his own might, particularly in the big matches against the big teams.
One of the key factors to win major tournaments would be to perform well in the Knockouts. Smith is one of the best batters in that regard. He can bat well against some of the best bowlers in the world. Players like him are valuable to the team and perform when it matters the most. Australia would need him to fire in big matches.