T20 Cricket World Cup: Steve Smith in danger of being squeezed out of World Cup squad

As uncertainty builds over his role in Australia’s title defence, Steve Smith has floated a surprise move to spearhead the batting line-up.

Smith says he wasn’t fazed by the axing and he is set for a recall for game two between Australia and the West Indies. Picture: Getty Images.

Steve Smith has declared he would relish the chance to open the Australian innings in the twilight of his white-ball career.

The Australian superstar is in the unusual position of having no idea where he fits in Australia’s T20 World Cup plans two weeks out from the tournament, as Tim David arrives as a middle-order hitter, Aaron Finch flirts with moving down to No. 4 and Cameron Green looms large as a potential 11th hour addition to the squad.

However, Smith has forecast where he would like to bat leading into next year’s 50-over World Cup – after expressing a strong interest in replacing the retired Finch as David Warner’s opening partner.

“I’d love to open, yeah. I think it’s the best time to bat in white ball cricket,” Smith told News Corp.

“You ask anyone, they’d love to bat as high as they can.

“I think some of my best innings I’ve played in one-day cricket, I’ve probably been in in the first over or two.

“So there’s no reason why I couldn’t do it, definitely. We’ll see how they want to shape the team.

“I’m comfortable at No. 3 as well. But I like facing the new ball in white ball cricket for sure.”

Steve Smith’s role in the Australian T20 side is uncertain.

Opening with Smith might allow Australia to use Marnus Labuschagne in the one-day middle-order and surround them with up tempo stroke players like Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Green and Glenn Maxwell.

However, the bottom line is Smith wants to ditch his tag as the “Mr Fix It” of Australia’s white ball set-up, starting right now for the T20 World Cup.

Smith believes the label has negative connotations and doesn’t do justice to his ability to be aggressive and play what he sees – even if he might not possess the power of other sluggers.

On large Australian grounds where boundaries are harder to clear than overseas venues, Smith’s skill is punching gaps and running twos and threes and he doesn’t feel that should be dismissed as a negative tactic in the modern T20 game plan.

“I wouldn’t so much say I’ve developed new shots, probably just brought some back out I suppose that I probably had in years’ gone by that I sort of almost put on the backburner a bit more,” Smith said.

“That was because of the role I’ve been playing of being that fix-it role, which is kind of like a negative spin on things in a way.

“So to now have that license to play what’s in front of me and take the game on if I want to, it enabled me to be a bit more aggressive and positive and all those kinds of things.

“When you’re in a role where you’re probably a bit more reluctant to take the game on, you miss out on certain scoring opportunities. That’s not the case anymore.”

Smith has floated a potential move to the top of the order.

Smith was the form player of Australia’s 50-over series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand last month, scoring a century, a 61 and a pair of unbeaten 40s.

In India on the recent T20 tour, Smith made 35 at a strike rate of 145 in Australia’s sole victory, before missing out in the two defeats – one rain affected.

Smith says he is in a confident frame of mind at the moment and when that’s the case, his form flows from one format to the next.

“Definitely, I think any format. For me personally, if I feel like I’m hitting the ball in one format, it doesn’t really matter what I’m playing,” he said.

“It’s the same sort of thing, going through the gears. I feel like I’m moving nicely into the ball, and I think for me, when I’m on driving the ball really well, which I probably did (against New Zealand), I know I’m in a pretty good spot with my balance.

“I’m feeling good, so fingers crossed I can build across all formats.”

SMITH IN DANGER OF BEING SQUEEZED FROM WC TEAM

Robert Craddock

Steve Smith is unsure whether he will be front and centre of Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign but has spoken up for role of deft craftsmen among the game’s batting brutes.

Smith was dropped from the Australian side for the home summer’s opening Twenty20 game against the West Indies on Wednesday but is likely to return at No. 3 for Friday’s rematch against the same team at the Gabba.

Aaron Finch, man of the match with a steady 58 off 53 on Wednesday in Australia’s exciting victory, is set to return to the top of the order.

Smith insists he was not fazed by his surprise axing which has intensified speculation that Tim David could squeeze him out of the top XI in this month’s World Cup.

“I was told they wanted six bowling options with Mitch Marsh not bowling and Stoinis not here,’’ Smith said of his axing but he has no idea what the selectors have planned for him in the World Cup.

Steve Smith was overlooked for Australia's home summer’s opening Twenty20 game, as speculation he could miss the top XI for the World Cup. Picture: AFP.

“I wouldn’t have a clue to be honest with you. We have really good depth to our squad. Tim David has come in and done really well. Everyone is in a really good place. We will wait and see.

“People talk about match-ups for different oppositions and conditions and things like that. We have got a really good squad so we can pick it according. I am pretty chilled at the moment.’’

World Cups tend to be won by heavy duty players and there is a feeling that amid the smash and crash brigade, teams need a skilful ball-worker like Smith to put some flesh around the fireworks.

It’s a theory he endorses.

Smith says he wasn’t fazed by the axing and he is set for a recall for game two between Australia and the West Indies. Picture: Getty Images.

“I am obviously not as strong and powerful as some of the other guys but some wickets entail just good smarts, punching the ball and timing the ball really well, particularly in Australia with big grounds … running hard between the wickets and that sort of thing.

“Some guys work on six hitting. Other guys work on manipulation. There is room for all different players. Players complement each other. You can have someone who bat 360 batting with someone who has powerful as well.’’

Wednesday’s sparse crowd Metricon Stadium was an uninspiring start to the summer and the players felt the flat vide.

“The crowd was disappointing. There was not many there. We like playing in front of big crowds and entertaining as much as we can. From that point of view it was disappointing for our first game of the summer as an international team.’’

Originally published as T20 Cricket World Cup: Steve Smith in danger of being squeezed out of World Cup squad