Australian batting legend Steve Smith he has no plans to hang up his boots anytime soon. The veteran cricketer has set his sights on representing Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket is set to return in the T20 format.
Smith, who recently hit the headlines with a blazing century Sydney Sixers in Big Bash League (BBL), expressed his desire to play in the global tournament. “I would love to play in the Olympics; I think that would be cool,” Smith told FOX Sports.
An unforgettable return to T20 Cricket
Smith’s return to T20 cricket has been nothing short of spectacular. Playing for the Sydney Sixers, he smashed 121 off just 64 balls against the Perth Scorchers at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). His overs, which included 10 fours and seven sixes, had a strike rate of 189.06. This was his third century in the BBL, bringing him level with Ben McDermott for the most centuries in the history of the tournament.
Despite his recent struggles with T20Is, Smith’s performances in the domestic and franchise leagues have been superb. Since 2023, he has scored 950 runs in 21 T20 innings at an impressive average of 59.37, including three centuries and six fifties.
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Smith’s Stellar Run in T20 Leagues
Smith’s stint at Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA was another highlight of his recent T20 journey. He led the Washington Freedom to the 2024 MLC title, scoring 336 runs in nine matches at an average of 56.00 and a strike rate of 148.67.
His ability to adapt and excel in different conditions has made him a sought-after player in T20 leagues around the world. In the BBL, Smith continued to show his class, cementing his status as one of the format’s most reliable batsmen.
Plans beyond traditional formats
Smith, known for his prowess in Test cricket, is now focusing more on the shorter formats. “We’ll see how far I go in terms of long cricket. But I think I’ll play short cricket for a while when I’m done,” he said.
The 33-year-old is aware of the competition from younger players, but remains motivated to continue performing at the highest level. “There are a lot of good young kids knocking the ball out of the park. There are other guys around the country who are hitting,” he added.
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