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Australian cricket icon Steve Smith has addressed questions about his potential retirement, affirming that he remains focused on enjoying the game and hasn’t set a definite date for hanging up his boots.
Despite missing out on Australia‘s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Smith has been making waves internationally, notably captaining Washington Freedom to victory in the Major League Cricket 2024 (MLC).
Steve Smith dismisses retirement speculation
During a recent media interaction, Smith downplayed any immediate thoughts of retirement, emphasizing his passion for the game and expressing his excitement about upcoming opportunities.
“I don’t have any plans; I’m just enjoying playing at the moment. I’m pretty relaxed and I’m looking forward to this summer,” Smith told reporters.
The 35-year-old added that he expects to participate in several matches in the Big Bash League (BBL) this year, although he remains open to future opportunities as they arise.
“I think I’ll get a few [BBL] games in this year and then we’ll see where we go from there. Every chance I get, I jump at it,” Smith said.
Smith talks about his batting position
Smith also revealed ongoing discussions about his international future with Australia’s coaching staff. While his participation in upcoming T20 matches is uncertain, he confirmed that he will play a role in the one-day internationals in England before making any decisions on his future.
“The conversations I’ve had so far are that we’ll go to England and the boys will have the T20s, and then I’m there for the one-dayers and we’ll make a decision after that,” he said, hinting at potential changes depending on team dynamics and personal preferences.
Regarding his batting position, Smith exhibited his usual team-first attitude. While some of his teammates, including Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, have expressed a preference for him to bat at number four, Smith said he remains flexible.
“Those conversations are happening in the background. I saw some comments that Usman (Khawaja) made and I think he said he likes me down at number four, and I think Marnus (Labuschagne) is of a similar thought pattern,” he remarked, underscoring his willingness to adapt as needed.
Also READ: Australian star Steve Smith opens up on his future in T20I cricket
Excels as captain in the Major League Cricket
Although Smith was not selected for Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign, his recent performances in the MLC have been nothing short of outstanding. Leading Washington Freedom to the title, Smith was the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer, amassing 336 runs in nine matches, including three half-centuries. He averaged an impressive 56.00 with a strike rate of 148.67, reaffirming his status as one of cricket’s premier batsmen.
Smith’s leadership in the MLC and his stellar batting have demonstrated that despite not featuring in Australia’s current T20 plans, he remains a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. As he continues to enjoy his time in the game, cricket fans around the world will be watching closely to see how much longer this modern-day legend will continue to grace the sport.
