Steve Smith 'not sure' about Test future despite stellar BGT campaign

Less than a fortnight ago, Australia beat India in a Test series for the first time in a decade, and integral to that victory was Steve Smith, who smashed 314 runs at an average of 34.88 in a series dominated by the bowlers. 

Smith entered the series with questions surrounding his form and his future, and three failures across the first two Tests put him under enormous pressure. But with the series tied at 1-1, the veteran batter showcased his class and slammed back-to-back hundreds to silence his critics and help the Kangaroos take firm control of the series.

The back-to-back tons gave hope of a potential ‘second wind’ in Tests for Smith, but the cricket world might have to temper its expectations. Despite looking the best he has in a long time in Tests, in the 24/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Smith asserted that he is ‘not sure’ about his future in the longest format.

“Not sure, I take it day by day. I obviously enjoyed the back-end of the summer with some runs and helping the team have success,” Smith told Fox Sports, talking about his Test future.

“We have a pretty full off-season with Sri Lanka and then the World Test Championship final, so just play it by ear and see how we go.”

The 35-year-old said he was pleased to score runs against India but remained tight-lipped about his red-ball future. 

“I mean I’ve never doubted my ability to bounce back and score runs. At the start of the summer I was hitting the ball really nicely, I just wasn’t getting the runs,” Smith said.

“To be able to contribute with a few really good scores in the back-end of the summer was nice and like I said in the future we will see.”

In two weeks’ time, Smith will be leading Australia in the two-Test series away in Sri Lanka, but, for the time being, the veteran is having fun opening the batting for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL). Last week, in his first match of this ongoing BBL edition, Smith plundered an unbeaten 121 off just 64 balls. 

The onslaught at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), though, took no one by surprise, for Smith has been one of the best openers in T20 cricket for a while now. Since the start of 2023, he has blasted 950 runs as an opener at an average of 59.38 and a strike rate of 158.9. He was one of the standout batters in the Major League Cricket (MLC) last season and, during this period, has smashed 528 runs at 88 avg and 173.1 SR in the BBL.

Smith insisted that with the new role he’s playing in T20s, the 2028 LA Olympics might be a realistic goal for him to target.

“I think it’s different now I’m opening the batting, I haven’t had too many opportunities opening for Australia, but it’s a different ball game, it suits the way I play,” he said.

“Playing decent cricket shots early on and then getting a bit more expansive once the field goes out. I have enjoyed every opportunity opening whether it’s been in the Big Bash or the MLC over in America.

“So I think it suits the way I play and it’s a bit different to batting in the middle... [the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics] is on the radar and only a few years away I suppose and I’m probably going to play T20 cricket for a while.

“So if I’m still scoring well hopefully I can put my name up and see how we go.”

Joe Root and Kane Williamson are both currently playing in the SA20. By his own admission, Smith does not have much Test cricket left in him, but the veteran is eager to play a lot of franchise cricket once he hangs up his boots in international cricket.

“I think I will play plenty of franchise stuff for a while, I enjoy playing in the T20 comps,” Smith said.

“There’s so many around the world now that you can get involved in. I dare say I will play in them for some time, but how long? Who knows.

“As long as the body is good and the mind is still good and I want to keep playing and keep improving, I will play for as long as I can.”