Australia v Pakistan T20s: Steve Smith shows he’s much more than a Test genius with match-winning knock

Confident he can engineer a run chase and equally comfortable to take the pads off and let the big-hitting bruisers step in, Steve Smith is a role player in T20 cricket and he wants to own it.

Steve Smith (C) of Australia shakes hands with Pakistan's Mohammad Irfan after the second Twenty20 match between Australia and Pakistan at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on November 5, 2019. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

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By his own admission Steve Smith’s international Twenty20 record is not “crash hot” but the batting supremo has issued an ominous warning ahead of next year’s World Cup that numbers can be deceiving.

The 30-year-old produced one of his signature white ball innings on Tuesday night to silence any brave critics still questioning whether the world’s greatest Test player was equipped with the game to also master the shortest form.

Smith’s scintillating 80 not out off 51 balls to crush Pakistan in Canberra was just the fourth half century of his 35-match T20 career, but doesn’t mean he lacks any self-belief that he can perfect the No.3 role for Australia at next year’s Cup.

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Steve Smith is congratulated by Mohammad Irfan after his match-winning knock.

Confident he can engineer a run chase if the openers fall early like they did on Tuesday, and equally comfortable to take the pads off and let the big-hitting bruisers step in should Australia get off to a flyer – Smith is a role player in T20 cricket and he wants to own it.

Smith has revealed the reason for his comparatively sluggish record and declared it means nothing.

“If you look at my batting record in T20 internationals, it’s not crash hot. But I guess you have to bear in mind that I did play my first 25 games as a spinner where I was batting at No.8 or 9 and coming in and slogging,” Smith said.

“I was facing half a dozen balls tops and slogging. It’s never easy and it’s going to affect your record at some point.

“I enjoy playing T20 cricket. I’ve played in a lot of the tournaments around the world. IPL is the No.1 around the world and I’ve done reasonably well there so I don’t doubt my ability.

Steve Smith played one of the great T20 knocks on Tuesday night.

“I know the tempos of the game I need to go at and I’ve played a lot of cricket now. I might not be as (physically) strong as some of the other guys, but I use placement and timing.

“The white ball usually flies off the bat, particularly when it’s brand new so if you’re timing the ball well you get value for your shots in most places.”

In the first T20 of the summer against Sri Lanka in Adelaide, openers David Warner and Aaron Finch put on a big partnership, and Smith didn’t bat – with big-hitting Glenn Maxwell going up ahead of him.

The world’s best batsman, who loves making runs so much he will shadow bat in front of the mirror, says he is not bothered by occasionally taking a back seat.

“Perfect. It’s nice to just chill out there and sit there and watch every now and then,” said Smith.

“Like in Adelaide as we saw, with Maxi there, those guys got off to a terrific start and it’s an opportunity then for the guys that can hit big sixes and are a bit stronger, they can come out and do it.

Improvisation is key to Steve Smith’s T20 game.

“You’re not under a great deal of pressure then. It’s just about going out and playing a really up-tempo and aggressive game and guys like Maxi do that really well.

“Guys like AT (Ashton Turner) and Benny (McDermott) could certainly come in front of me if the same situation presents itself and do a similar job and I’m comfortable just watching it.”

Despite the fact Smith’s early record in T20s has caught up with him, he says he hasn’t reinvented the wheel in trying to catch up.

In fact Smith applies the same methods which has made him – in the eyes of many – the best Test batsman since Sir Donald Bradman.

“I’ve played a lot of T20 cricket now and I don’t really change too much,” he said.

Smith ahs his eyes on T20s greatest prize.

“If you’re chasing you weigh up the situation and what you need and what you need to go at.

“Which bowlers you want to target and just work out the maths in your head.

“Batting first you have to sum up conditions and how the wicket is playing, what you think a good score is and who is in the opposition, all those sorts of things.

“I’m pretty experienced and my role in this team is to fix it if the top up the top don’t come off.”

Originally published as Australia v Pakistan T20s: Steve Smith shows he’s much more than a Test genius with match-winning knock