Cricket news: Australia’s T20 World Cup squad selection, could Steve Smith open with David Warner?

Even as the best batsman in the world, Steve Smith has been a peripheral member of Australia’s T20 squad. But he may have just forced selectors into an unthinkable shake-up.

Steve Smith and David Warner are set to face-off on Saturday night, but will they become brothers in arms at next year’s T20 World Cup?

The prospect of Smith opening the innings for Australia as Warner’s new partner at the top of the order came into focus following his devastating 101 off 56 balls for the Sydney Sixers.

Smith’s masterclass knock in Coffs Harbour proved he still has the potential to destroy attacks in the shortest format, especially in the power play when the field is up, and he will get another chance to showcase his T20 renaissance when the Sixers’ face-off against Warner’s Sydney Thunder at the SCG this Saturday.

Steve Smith smashed a memorable century for the Sydney Sixers on Tuesday. Picture: Getty

CA is hoping for a crowd that might push 40,000, with the clash of the two best batsmen of their era – teammates for more than a decade – having the potential to rate as the cricketing event of the summer.

Cameron Green might be the current favourite to replace Aaron Finch at the top of the order for Australia in T20 cricket, but Smith has thrown his hat into the ring with his boom knock on Tuesday night, just months after he was benched by Australia for most of the World Cup.

The massive hundred led the Big Bash to a ratings win over the Australian Open tennis for a second consecutive night.

A combined audience of 672,000 tuned into the Smith show on Fox Cricket and Channel 7, compared to an average of 574,000 across the two Australian Open night sessions on Channel 9, justified why Cricket Australia forked out the big bucks for superstars like Smith and Warner and proved why getting our certified Test stars in the BBL should always be the No.1 priority for administrators well ahead of overseas recruits.

David Warner (L) and Steve Smith (R) have been the best Australian batsmen of their era. Picture: Getty

But Smith’s innings wasn’t just about ratings and ticket sales – it was also significant from a cricketing perspective.

The technical changes Smith has made with his batting which has helped him unlock his T20 potency again adds intrigue to questions about the 33-year-old’s future in international cricket.

Australia appeared on the verge of phasing him out as a T20 batsman, but this BBL cameo could prompt a rethink.

It is why Smith was so filthy at being snubbed by Cricket Australia for last year’s BBL – because he saw it not as pocket money to pick up in his free time, but as a genuine opportunity to push his case for World Cup selection.

Steve Smith was filthy he couldn’t push his T20 case in last year’s BBL. Picture: Getty

Smith hinted at multiple stages through the summer that the end might come sooner than people think, but the question within the question is which format might Smith ultimately prioritise?

Cricket Australia will hope the answer is Test cricket, but there is a T20 World Cup in the United States next year which could also hold great appeal for Smith as a career goal.

Smith owns an apartment in New York, where he and his wife spend a lot of time, and there is a feeling the T20 World Cup in 2024 could be a significant event in the history of the game as cricket’s genuine opportunity to bring cricket to the untapped US market.

The 2024 World Cup in the USA could hold great appeal for Smith. Picture: AFP

In an interview with News Corp at the start of the summer, Smith was clear that he would love to open the batting for Australia in white ball cricket.

Travis Head has a firm grip on the ODI opening role ahead of this year’s 50-over World Cup, but the race to partner Warner in the T20 format is a much more open field. Green could bat anywhere in the order and make an impact.

Selectors said they liked the fact Finch could provide an ‘anchor’ role for Australia at the top of the order at the failed World Cup in October.

If they still believe in that as a model, then evidence from Tuesday night in Coffs Harbour suggests Smith can play that reliable, heavy-duty role better than most.