Steve Smith hits unbeaten 73 in IPL to send a reminder to World Cup selectors

Steve Smith’s return to top-flight cricket following his ball-tampering ban had been modest at best - until last night when Smith sent a message to the Aussie selectors.

Rajasthan Royals cricketer Steve Smith (R) plays a shot during the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on April 7, 2019. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP) / ----IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE-----

Australia’s Steve Smith struck his first half-century of this Indian Premier League season but his Rajasthan Royals team still lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by eight wickets on Sunday.

Smith hit an unbeaten 73 off 59 balls to guide Rajasthan to 139-3, boosting his return from a ball-tampering ban that ended March 28.

Smith and his compatriot David Warner missed the 2018 IPL over a cheating controversy that got the pair a 12-month suspension from state and international cricket.

Steve Smith sent a timely reminder to Australia’s selectors with his knock. Picture: Sajjad Hussain/AFP

While Warner has been in impressive form to top the batting chart with 279 runs in five matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, Smith finally hit big after scores of 20, 28 and 38.

He built crucial partnerships including a 72-run second-wicket stand with England’s Jos Buttler, who made 37, after being invited to bat first.

“He is not a big-hitter of the ball. He’s not an Andre Russell or a Ben Stokes. He gets the gaps. He had a bit of hand injury as well. I respect him,” said West Indies great Brian Lara, commentating for IPL.

Steve Smith finished unbeaten on 73 for the Rajasthan Royals. Picture: AP Photo/Vishal Bhatnagar

Smith’s effort was not enough as Kolkata chased down their modest target of 140 in 13.5 overs with Chris Lynn topscoring with 50 off 32 deliveries.

The former Australia captain also took a sharp catch at first slip off the bowling of leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal to dismiss Sunil Narine for 47.

Smith and Warner are keen to impress with their performance in the world’s most popular T20 league that runs close to the World Cup starting in May.

The Twenty20 extravaganza is tentatively scheduled to end on May 12, wrapping up less than three weeks before the start of the 50-over showpiece event in England and Wales.

Steve Smith scored 73* off
59 balls in the IPL, good timing just before the Australian selectors meet to pick the World Cup squad. #IPL2019 #CWC19

— Andrew Menczel 🏏 (@amenners) April 7, 2019

Originally published as Steve Smith hits unbeaten 73 in IPL to send a reminder to World Cup selectors