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Chief selector George Bailey admitted Steve Smith could be under consideration if there was a need for a replacement at the T20 World Cup. (Reuters Photo)
Australian batting mainstay Steve Smith has said that his ‘main goal’ is to play for Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, admitting that he was not in contention to be a surprise entrant in the national squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The 36-year-old, who has been in excellent batting form in the ongoing Big Bash League for Sydney Sixers, has not been named in Australia’s preliminary squad for the biennial event and was also not named in the squad to play Pakistan in a three-match T20 series away from home, starting on January 29.
“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.”
“I always want to play for Australia in big tournaments. But I think that ship’s (T20 World Cup) 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,” the right-hander said.
While Smith may not have made the T20 World Cup cut, chief selector George Bailey admitted that the former Australian captain could be under consideration if there was a need for a replacement.
“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 that if Smith did make it back to the Australian T20I fold in future, he could have a role at the top of the order.
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“I’d hate to put a line through saying that Steve couldn’t bat anywhere else, because I think he’s proven us wrong, or he’s proved his ability to be able to do that on a number of occasions. I think when he’s had international opportunities of late, it has been at the top. Certainly, his most recent ones have been. He’s played a lot of international T20 cricket. Clearly, when he goes back to the Big Bash, he is a level above,” he said.
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