The evolution of Steve Smith the human, through the eyes of his Australia teammates

Steve Smith wouldn’t change anything, he claims, despite all the stress, sleeplessness and scandal. But has the former captain’s life changed him? It depends who you ask.

The 50-over World Cup wasn’t all Steve Smith won last November.

Five days after Australia silenced the more than 90,000 fans at Narendra Modi Stadium, Smith found success in the considerably lower-profile content that was the Dimmocks Quality Meats Maiden Plate, the second race on the card on a Friday at Muswellbrook.

Trained by Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich, Are You Joking is a four-year-old gelding who ran fourth last start at Tamworth in June. Smith is a part-owner, in tandem with a bunch of non-cricket mates.

“Hopefully it comes back into work soon and wins a few races, that would be nice,” Smith said.

Smith has owned horses before, including working with leading trainer Chris Waller. He says he has long enjoyed a bit of a punt.

“When your horse runs around and particularly wins, it’s pretty cool,” Smith said. “But yeah, just bit of fun.”

Steve Smith is locked and loaded for the summer. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Alongside his dabble in racing and his growing dedication to golf – which has effectively replaced tennis – Smith doesn’t appear to have particularly extravagant hobbies.

Having reached a level of fame and scrutiny with which few can relate, Smith says he is at peace with his public profile.

“It comes with the territory, I suppose,” Smith said.

“I never played to be famous, I played because I love cricket and want to be the best I can be. And it sort of comes with it, I suppose. When I was younger and wasn’t recognised at all, I suppose it was good as well. I mean, it is what it is.”

Smith wouldn’t change anything, he claims, despite all stress, sleeplessness and scandal. But has the former captain’s life changed him?

It depends who you ask.

Pat Cummins remembers first coming across Smith when the former was a net bowler ahead of a one-day international at the SCG.

“He was quite loose. He was trying to hit pull shots off a length,” Cummins said.

Smith similarly thought Cummins had some room for improvement.

“I’d heard he bowled quick, then I faced him in the nets, and I was like, ‘It wasn’t that quick’,” Smith said. “Maybe he wasn’t charging in, I don’t know, he holds himself back in the nets a bit, but, yeah, I thought, this guy’s got some good skill.”

Steve Smith and Pat Cummins’ friendship goes back a long way. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Around six months later Cummins met Smith properly, in the medical room when both were dealing with injuries. They became friendly, with Cummins – still living in the Blue Mountains at the time – spending several nights sleeping on the couch of a house inhabited by Smith, future Test spinner Steve O’Keefe, and their housemate Dan. Cummins recalls a table tennis table, barbecue and existence very much in accordance with stereotypes of three young men living together.

“I think he’s pretty similar in a lot of ways, especially when he’s around mates and stuff like that. He’s always got a really good sense of humour, understands his own quirks,” Cummins said.

Glenn Maxwell’s relationship with Smith has not been as smooth. As detailed in Maxwell’s recently-released book The Showman, Smith was Australian captain when Maxwell was fined for comments he made about his disappointment at batting behind national teammate Matthew Wade for Victoria in late 2016. Then in early 2018, Maxwell had his training habits publicly criticised by the skipper after the all-rounder was omitted from the one-day side.

“I’m really proud of how that friendship has developed to where it is now, like the fact that we were able to, I suppose, not come through that, but like evolve past that,” Maxwell said.

“He was obviously captain and wanted to see something. And then as we’ve both got older, we’ve worked out how much we enjoy each other’s company and how much it’s probably benefited each other to grow up a bit more than when we were younger. I’m very grateful that we’re able to sort of be as close as we are.”

Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell’s relationship has warmed up over the years. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Maxwell contends that the burden of being anointed the best since Bradman as well as captaining his country in his mid-20s weighed heavily on Smith. Whereas 10 years ago he may not have had a beer the night before a Test match, Maxwell says that would no longer be the case.

“These days it’s a bit more human and I think he can relate to everyone a bit better. Back then he kept a bit more to himself, did his own thing, would bat for hours, and that was all he was focused on. And didn’t probably have those interpersonal relationships as much as he does now, and I know I’m better for it to have those conversations with him on the ground, around golf, off the field, just around the hotel, wherever we are.”

As he returns to No.4 in the nation’s Test batting line-up, Smith has been noncommittal about how long he plans to play international cricket. But at 35, it is no great leap to suggest the end could be nigh.

Smith is not on his own. With a core of players in their 30s, this Australian team has in many respects grown up together, through triumph, tragedy and trouble.

To Smith, they have largely remained the same people.

“I think the majority of the crew are all pretty similar. Not a lot’s changed,” he said. “I can’t put my finger on anyone that’s really changed too much. Everyone’s always sort of been themselves. That’s the beauty of a good bunch of guys that just are themselves. That’s the best part about it.”

Originally published as The evolution of Steve Smith the human, through the eyes of his Australia teammates