Free Of “Mr. Fix It” Spot, Steve Smith Eyes T20 World Cup Spot
T20 World Cup: Veteran Steve Smith is relishing his revamped batting role and believes he can be part of Australia’s title defense at the T20 World Cup at home later this year if he continues in the same vein. Smith was a pegionhold anchor in T20 cricket, including Australia’s maiden T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last year.
However, during the tour of Sri Lanka in June, the 33-year-old was freed by the tag of “Mr. Fix It” from the team management, giving him the green light to go and play freely.
“I feel that when I play good T20 cricket, I will definitely be in that team (T20 World Cup),” Smith told cricket.com.au on Tuesday.
“The role I’ve been given for the last couple of years is ‘Mr. Fix It’ role, and that tag has now been taken away from me.” The right-hander feels he can now play the natural game in the shortest format without hesitation.
“On the Sri Lanka tour, I felt I could go out and play with a lot more freedom and naturally and I wouldn’t have any hesitation in my mind.
“I can just get on with the game and if I want to hit someone on the first six balls I’m free to do that,” Smith added.
Likes with birth Mitchell Marsh (which now occupies the No. 3 spot once held by Smith), Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, Smith’s status had been called into question in T20s. In the series against Sri Lanka, Smith struck twice in three T20s, taking five off four in the second match, before making an unbeaten 37 off 27 balls in the third game.
