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Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has expressed his skepticism regarding Steve Smith‘s motivation for playing T20 internationals for Australia, suggesting that Smith might be using these matches to enhance his appeal for T20 leagues worldwide after his Test career concludes, thereby securing lucrative contracts.
Steve Smith’s T20 struggles: A dilemma for Australia ahead of World Cup 2024
Despite Australia’s recent dominance in the T20I series against New Zealand, Smith’s struggles in the shortest format persist, raising concerns with the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. The 34-year-old, after sitting out the first game, featured in the last two matches against New Zealand but failed to make a significant impact, scoring 11 and four in the respective games.
Mitchell Johnson questions Smith’s T20 International motivation
In a column for the Nightly, Johnson, who represented Australia in international cricket from 2005 to 2015. questioned Smith’s genuine interest in international T20 cricket and speculated on the allure of playing in global T20 leagues post his Test career. Johnson pondered whether Smith aim to perform at the international level and in World Cups to bolster his chances of securing substantial contracts in T20 leagues worldwide.
“I wonder if international T20 cricket is something he really wants to play. Of course, he will most likely play in a few different leagues around the world when his Test career is over and so maybe there is a dangling carrot in that he wants to perform at international level and at a World Cup to boost his chances of playing in leagues where he can earn himself big pay cheques,” Johnson said.
Also READ: Andrew McDonald provides clarity on Steve Smith’s chances for the T20 World Cup 2024
Only way to make a place
Despite acknowledging the possibility of Smith featuring in T20 leagues post his Test career, Johnson indicated that the opening slot might be the only position where the batter could be accommodated in the playing XI for Australia.
“That (opening) gives him time to get himself in and his eye in and once that happens he can hit it all over the park. And with Australia’s explosive batting attack, that could be a good fit for Smith. But Australia need to see him score and do that job consistently before he could be considered for the World Cup,” the 42-year-old concluded.
Despite Smith’s stellar performances in ODIs and Tests, the T20I format has proven to be a challenge for him, amassing only 1094 runs in 67 matches with an average of 24.86 and a strike rate of 125.
