Cricket

Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has dismissed any thoughts of retirement, despite being overlooked for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup. The 35-year-old recently signed a three-year deal with the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL), indicating his continued passion for the game.Smith's decision to join the Sixers suggests he intends to play at least four BBL matches this summer, fitting them in between the final Test against India and the tour of Sri Lanka. Despite his omission from the T20 World Cup squad, Smith remains committed to competing in all formats of cricket."I don't have any plans [to retire], I'm just enjoying playing at the moment," Smith told reporters. "I'm pretty relaxed and I'm looking forward to this summer."Smith's recent performances as an opener for Australia have been mixed. In the home summer against the West Indies and New Zealand, he averaged just 28.25 in eight innings. However, his career average of 56.97 suggests he is still a formidable batsman.The veteran batsman admitted that his teammates prefer him at number four, where he has spent most of his Test career. However, he emphasized that he is willing to bat anywhere for the team."I'm happy wherever and I'll bat anywhere for the team," Smith said. "For me it's just a position."Smith's future role in the Australian Test team remains uncertain. He is expected to play in the upcoming five-Test series against India, but it is unclear whether he will open the batting or return to his preferred position at number four.

Steve Smith, the veteran Australian batter, has expressed his desire to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) next year after leading Washington Freedom to their first Major League Cricket (MLC) title. At 35, Smith has not played in the IPL since 2021, having gone unsold in the last two auctions.Despite being overlooked for the T20 World Cup and the upcoming tours of Scotland and England, Smith remains optimistic about his chances of making a comeback in the IPL. "I'd certainly love another opportunity at IPL. I'll be throwing my name in the ring, and we'll see how we go," Smith said.Smith's standout performance in the MLC came in the final against the San Francisco Unicorns, where he scored an 88 off 52 balls against bowlers like Australian captain Pat Cummins and Pakistan's Haris Rauf. His effort earned him the player-of-the-match award in the final.Smith's return to form in the MLC has raised questions about his omission from the Australian T20I team. However, Smith understands the team's decision to focus on younger players. "In terms of international T20s, I don't know what's going on there," Smith said. "They've obviously got some people they want to bring in, and that's fine."Despite the setbacks, Smith remains focused on improving his game. "I'll just go about my business, keep trying to improve and get better," he said.Smith also expressed interest in representing Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket will make its debut. "That's still a while away as well, so we'll wait and see. Never say never," Smith said.

Steve Smith, Australia's premier batter, has expressed his willingness to adapt to the middle order if the national selectors deem it necessary. Despite mixed results as an opener, Smith remains flexible about his position for the upcoming summer.Smith's tenure at the opening position saw him making an unbeaten 91 in the day-night Test at the Gabba against West Indies. However, his overall performance totaled 171 runs, averaging 28.50 over eight innings. During the period, Smith faced challenges, especially against deliveries on the inside edge, with three dismissals coming as LBW.Despite the hurdles, Smith is amenable to shifting roles for the team. "I'm comfortable batting wherever," Smith told Fox Cricket. "We'll see what that looks like, I suppose, whether they want me to continue (opening the batting) or go back to three or four. We'll wait and see. I'm pretty easy batting anywhere. We'll just see what stacks up and what the brain trust wants."Smith mentioned that the rapid turnaround between innings was the only notable challenge he found while opening. "It's a little bit of a quicker turnaround when you only have ten minutes, running off the field and you have to get back out there quickly," Smith explained. "Outside of that, I don't think there's much change."Australian selector George Bailey recently hinted at keeping the team's top six unchanged for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India starting in November. Smith's flexibility with his batting position fits into the approach.Usman Khawaja, another opener for Australia, prefers to see Smith batting at No.4, appreciating his notable performance in the middle order. Smith has averaged 61.50 in 111 Test innings at No. 4, including 19 centuries. Khawaja believes the strategy would benefit the team. "When you put him up to open, I feel like you're kind of giving them a chance to get at him early."Smith acknowledges the adjustments needed when opening the batting but stays focused on contributing positively to the series ahead. "I like to stand up in the big series and do well and help the team. Hopefully, there's much of the same this summer," Smith said.Smith plans to participate in several Sheffield Shield matches for New South Wales before the Test series against India. These matches will help him get accustomed to the swinging Kookaburra ball. Though his specific role with the Blues is yet to be discussed, Smith remains open to batting wherever required. "I'll bat wherever they want me to. I'm not that fussed," Smith affirmed. "They've got some good young kids there. I'm pretty easy, whatever spot they want me to bat."

Washington Freedom, owned by Sanjay Govil, is gearing up for the second season of Major League Cricket (MLC) with renewed optimism. Led by captain Steve Smith and coach Ricky Ponting, the team boasts a formidable roster featuring international stars like Travis Head, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Maxwell, and Saurabh Netravalkar.Govil expressed confidence in the team's ability to succeed, citing their competitive lineup and the growing popularity of cricket in the US. He highlighted the recent CBS news report indicating that over 35 million Americans watch cricket, making it the fifth largest cricket media market for the ICC.The success of the T20 World Cup in the US, particularly the India-Pakistan match in New York, has significantly increased awareness and generated excitement for the sport. Govil believes that the US has a huge appetite for sports and that cricket is well-positioned to gain a significant following.He emphasized the importance of passion in driving the growth of cricket in the US, noting that every owner in the MLC is willing to invest in the sport. He also highlighted the interest from advertisers, with Verizon being a major sponsor for Washington Freedom.Govil expressed gratitude for the ICC's decision to grant MLC List-A status, which provides additional motivation for players to perform at their best. He also praised Saurabh Netravalkar, a rising star in US cricket who has impressed with his bowling skills and humble demeanor.With cricket set to be part of the Olympics in LA 2028, Govil anticipates a surge in investment and infrastructure development for the sport in the US. He believes that the US has the potential to excel in cricket and that the Olympics will provide a major impetus for its growth.

Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has predicted that Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli will emerge as the leading run-scorer in the upcoming 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. Kohli's recent stellar performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he won the Orange Cap, has solidified his status as one of the favorites to dominate the run charts in the West Indies and the USA.Smith, who was not selected for the Australian squad, believes that Kohli's exceptional form and experience will propel him to the top of the scoring charts. "My top run-scorer of the tournament will be Virat Kohli," Smith told the ICC. "He is coming off a terrific IPL and he is bringing in some great form. I think he will be the leading run-getter."Kohli, who is already the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history with 1141 runs in 25 innings, is poised to extend his record even further. His compatriot and captain, Rohit Sharma, is not far behind, ranking fourth in the all-time run-getters list. Sharma has the potential to climb up to second place this year.The Indian duo is expected to open the batting for their team, which will face Ireland in New York on June 5. Kohli's impressive record against Pakistan, with 308 T20 World Cup runs and only one dismissal, bodes well for his chances of accumulating runs in the tournament. The arch-rivals are scheduled to clash on Sunday, June 9.While Kohli and Sharma are expected to lead India's batting charge, Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that young Yashasvi Jaiswal could be a valuable addition to the lineup at number three.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has expressed his admiration for two batters who have impressed him with their performances: Zak Crawley of England and Steve Smith of Australia.Crawley, a 26-year-old opener, has caught Sharma's attention with his impressive performances in Test cricket. In 44 Test matches, Crawley has scored 2,611 runs at an average of 32.63, including four centuries and 14 fifties. His highest score is an impressive 267.Sharma praised Crawley's ability to play with freedom and aggression. "I watched Zak Crawley very closely this season and enjoyed watching him bat," Sharma said. "He has a good technique and a positive mindset."Smith, on the other hand, is a seasoned veteran who has established himself as one of the greatest batters of his generation. In 334 international matches for Australia, Smith has amassed 16,225 runs, including 44 centuries and 79 half-centuries.Sharma highlighted Smith's unique approach to batting and his ability to adapt to different situations. "Steve Smith is different from the rest," Sharma said. "He has his own way of doing things, but he is successful."Smith's dominance is particularly evident in Test cricket, where he has scored 9,685 runs at an average of 56.97, with 32 centuries and 41 half-centuries. He has played a key role in Australia's triumphs in two ICC Cricket World Cups, one ICC T20 World Cup, and one ICC World Test Championship.Sharma's admiration for Crawley and Smith reflects his appreciation for batters who possess both technical skill and mental toughness. These qualities are essential for success at the highest level of cricket, and Sharma believes that both Crawley and Smith have the potential to achieve great things in the game.

Glenn Maxwell, the explosive Australian all-rounder, has joined Travis Head and Steve Smith in signing with Washington Freedom for the upcoming Major League Cricket (MLC) season. Maxwell's decision to join MLC comes after he requested to be omitted from Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) lineup in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Maxwell's signing with Washington Freedom marks the latest addition of Australian talent to MLC. He will join his national teammates Head and Smith, as well as former IPL coach Ricky Ponting, at the Washington-based franchise. Maxwell expressed his excitement about the opportunity to play in the United States, stating that he has been eager to participate in the tournament since its inception.The Australian all-rounder cited the presence of familiar faces like Head, Smith, and Ponting as a key factor in his decision to join Washington Freedom. He believes that their familiarity will help him settle in quickly and contribute to the team's success.Maxwell's decision to request omission from RCB's lineup was not motivated by a need for a mental break, as some had speculated. Instead, he explained that he felt he was not performing at his best and wanted to avoid putting pressure on the team's captain and coach."I was pretty low on confidence," Maxwell said. "I had a good couple of net sessions and just went out to the ground and felt really tentative. I wasn't able to really commit to my game plans and just felt like if I had kept playing and playing that role, I don't think the results would change too much."Maxwell's self-assessment led him to believe that he was not contributing enough to the team and that it was in the best interests of RCB to give another player a chance. He emphasized that he is not taking an extended break from cricket but rather is focused on improving his form and regaining his place in the team.Maxwell's absence from RCB's lineup is likely to continue for the next game against Kolkata Knight Riders, as he is currently nursing a minor hip injury. He understands that he needs to be patient and wait for the right opportunity to return to the team."I've actually got a little bit of a hip strain so I've got a few more days off and during recovery," Maxwell said. "So I've got a little period here where I'm still training, still trying to get myself right. If there is a spot that becomes available, I'll obviously put my hand up and take it."

Mumbai Indians' perplexing tactics in their record-breaking IPL loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad have drawn criticism from former Australia captain Steve Smith. Smith expressed bewilderment over the decision to limit premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah to just six deliveries up until the 13th over of the match.Sunrisers Hyderabad posted the highest ever IPL total of 277/3, powered by a stunning display of power-hitting. Despite an equally aggressive response from Mumbai Indians, they fell short by 31 runs.Smith questioned the timing of Bumrah's introduction into the attack, stating that he should have been brought back earlier to stem the flow of runs. "I was perplexed with some of their bowling changes in the first innings for Mumbai. Bumrah bowled in the fourth over, he went for 5 and then we didn't see him again till the 13th over when they were on 173," Smith said.He emphasized that Bumrah's late reintroduction rendered him ineffective. "All the damage had been done, you needed your best bowler to be coming back and take some wickets in that period and I think they missed a trick there bringing him back only in the 13th over."Smith believes that Bumrah's absence from the attack allowed Hyderabad to accumulate a massive total. "I think he got a few things wrong, and that was the main one for me. I mean you can't have one of the best bowlers in the world bowling one over."He suggested that Bumrah should have been utilized more aggressively, even if it meant taking risks. "When the ball is going around like that, you've just got to bring your best bowler back earlier than you would have liked. It's just about adapting on the go and I'd have almost bowled Bumrah out by the 15th, 16th over, try to get some wickets, if he gets wickets, you slow the rate down anyway."Smith acknowledged the extraordinary power-hitting contest that unfolded, with a total of 38 sixes hit. "It was an incredible game."Another former cricketer, Brian Lara, praised Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abhishek Sharma for his blistering 23-ball 63. "Abhishek Sharma is one of my favorite young batters...He can hit it, he's not a big muscular guy, but when he hits the ball it stays hit. I think his was a special knock today," Lara said.

Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has heaped praise upon former Indian captain MS Dhoni, hailing him as an unparalleled cricketing mind and exceptional leader. Smith, who played alongside Dhoni during his stint with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), described the experience as "tremendous," highlighting Dhoni's exceptional skills behind the stumps and his profound understanding of the game."There's no one better in India to have behind the stumps than MS Dhoni," Smith remarked. "The way he understands the game and the angles of the game is second to none. So look, he was a tremendous person to play with. I really enjoyed his company on and off the field."Smith also lauded Dhoni's calm demeanor and his significant contributions to his cricketing development. "He's such a chilled guy, obviously extremely busy with loads of things outside the game, but extremely chilled down to earth and a wonderful person," Smith said. "There were many occasions where MS was fantastic. You know, I really enjoyed playing with him. I enjoyed leading him as well. He certainly helped me out."Dhoni's illustrious reign with CSK came to an end when the franchise appointed Ruturaj Gaikwad as the new captain. However, despite Dhoni's departure from the leadership role, CSK has commenced their IPL 2024 campaign with remarkable victories against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT).Smith's admiration for Dhoni is a testament to the latter's enduring legacy in Indian cricket. Dhoni's exceptional cricketing acumen, leadership prowess, and calm demeanor have made him one of the most respected and successful captains in the history of the game.