Veteran Australian batter Steve Smith hasn’t yet got the opportunity to play in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2022, but he is ready to bat at any position for the side at home.
Australia has been overlooking Smith in favor of Tim David at the T20 World Cup 2022, and the former skipper would only get the opportunity to play as a substitute in the tournament at home.
Smith took two catches as a substitute fielder to help Australia beat Ireland by 42 runs at the Gabba on Monday (October 31) to keep their semi-final hopes alive. The right-hander said that his game could suit Australian wickets that were "doing quite a bit" in the T20 World Cup 2022 so far.
As reported by Reuters, Steve Smith told reporters: “You haven’t seen those really big scores. Guys like Virat Kohli in that game (against Pakistan) at the MCG just batted, and then took it on later on. That is the way I like to go about things.”
He continued, “If things are difficult early, I have played test cricket and one-day cricket so I have got the game to play in those difficult circumstances. The way the tournament has played out so far with the wickets, if you have got someone who is able to bat through a fair chunk of the innings and let the hitters go around them, that has worked pretty well. I certainly feel I can play that role.”
Meanwhile, the Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade is set to lead the hosts if Aaron Finch is ruled out after he suffered a hamstring strain against Ireland and Smith said he would be happy to help him.
He signed off by saying, “I assume Wadey will take the reins, but I’m happy to help in any way I can. I’ve got a lot of experience, vice-captain of the test side, and been captain before, so happy to help in any way I can.”
(With Reuters Inputs)
