Steve Smith is widely regarded as one of the best modern-day batters, particularly in the longest format of the game. Smith has consistently been a key player for his team and has rescued them from difficult situations with his brilliant performances on numerous occasions.
While his current batting form may not have been at its peak, with concerns surrounding his form and future before the final Ashes 2023 Test, Smith played a determined knock on Day 2 of the Oval Test. He scored 71 runs and led Australia to a slender 12-run first-innings lead by reaching 295 in response to England‘s 283. Smith’s innings proved vital in rescuing Australia from a difficult position, showing his resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Alongside him, Pat Cummins (36) and Todd Murphy (34) played crucial innings, forming a valuable partnership of 49 runs for the ninth wicket.
Steve Smith dismissed his retirement rumours
Now, the former Aussie captain has dismissed rumours surrounding his Test retirement, making it clear that he is not going anywhere yet. He added that he had no idea how reports around his Test future started doing the rounds.
During a recent podcast after the fourth Test at Manchester, Michael Vaughan said he had heard rumours about Smith and David Warner retiring from Test cricket after the fifth and final Ashes 2023 clash at The Oval.
Also Read: Ashes 2023: David Warner brushes off retirement rumours; names his successor
“But the whisper was and I have no idea where they’re getting this whisper, but that Warner, if he plays at The Oval, it’ll probably be his last,” the former England skipper said on Fox Cricket.
“Again I’m not too sure where they’ve got that. And quite a strong whisper was about Steve Smith that it could be his last time out for Australia at the Oval as well. Again, I’ve not seen that personally, but it’s just the whisper and the gossip “It might just be the rain in Manchester that gets people talking, but that was the talk of the press box yesterday that a couple of Australian legends, greats might call it a day at The Oval,” the cricketer-turned-commentator concluded.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the second day’s play in the final Ashes Test on Friday (July 28), Smith cleared the air over rumours of his retirement.
“I’m not retiring. I have no idea (where it’s come from) because I haven’t said it to anyone. I am not going anywhere yet,” Smith said.
The 34-year-old hasn’t had a consistent run in Ashes 2023. He did not notch up a hundred at Lord’s but had disappointing returns in the other three Tests heading into The Oval. The right-handed batter has smacked 319 runs in 9 innings so far at an average of 35.44. He also scored a century and half-century.
