Ban to make Steve Smith a better batsman: O’Keeffe
The year-long ban slapped on Steve Smith for his role in ‘Sandpapergate’ will make the ex-Australian captain an even better batsman, former Test spinner Kerry O’Keeffe says.
The year-long ban slapped on Steve Smith for his role in ‘Sandpapergate’ will make the ex-Australian captain an even better batsman, former Test spinner Kerry O’Keeffe says.
Smith was already on a path to being one of Australia’s greatest ever bats before he was suspended by Cricket Australia over the infamous ball tampering saga involving David Warner and Cameron Bancroft in South Africa last year.
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O’Keeffe says recent revealing interviews where Smith has been more transparent about his feelings over the incident have helped rehabilitate his image and he expects the superstar to shatter batting records when he makes his return to international cricket.
“If people didn’t think he was hard enough as a batsman prior to the suspension, where he averaged 61, stand by, boys, because I think this will make him much harder as a player,” O’Keeffe said on Fox Cricket.
“This will be one of the great redemption stories as a batsman when Steve Smith returns because I think records are just going to get shattered, he will just pile them on.”
Smith’s batting feats are already legendary.
He was the youngest Australian to reach 6000 Test runs and the fastest to 10,000 international runs, boasting the remarkable Test average of 61.37, with 23 tons and 24 half centuries.
The 29-year-old has spent his time playing club cricket for Sutherland in NSW and serving some of his community service speaking in classrooms to students about the importance of mental health among young Australian males.
He will play in the Bangladesh Premier League, along with Warner, before the international bans are lifted at the end of March.
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