The T20 World Cup is the biggest cricketing event in this year. The mercury event of some exotic T20 fixtures is set to commence on June 1st. All teams are preparing for the shortest format of the World Cup. Before that, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting showcased his remarks on Steve Smith’s participation in the upcoming global tournament.
Ponting’s Remark on Smith:
Ricky Ponting shared his views on Steve Smith‘s potential participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The former Australian captain expressed his desire to include experienced players like Smith in the squad, highlighting Smith’s extensive experience in major cricket events and his past leadership roles within the Australian team.
However, Ponting’s opinion diverged from full support. While acknowledging Smith’s calming influence in the dressing room, Ponting indicated skepticism about Smith’s prospects of making it to the playing eleven. He suggested that, despite Smith’s experience and leadership qualities, he might not secure a spot in the starting lineup. Instead, Ponting hinted at a potential mentoring role for the 34-year-old in the high-pressure environment of the T20 World Cup.
He said, “You love having guys like him around because of the experience and the calming influence that you can have around a team during a World Cup. But the other thing you always have to be mindful of is what role can he play? So I would think if Steve Smith does find his way into the squad, I don’t think he will be in the starting XI.”
Later he added, “And I think that’s probably been shown the last couple of weeks with the series they just played in New Zealand. I think he opened the batting in a couple of those games, but not all of those games and they’re sort of spreading the load around a little bit trying to find their right combination, but would I have him in the squad? I think I’d have him in the squad, but he wouldn’t be in my starting XI.”
Ponting’s remarks underscored the delicate balance between experience and current form in team selection for such a crucial tournament. While recognizing Smith’s valuable contributions to the team dynamics, Ponting also emphasized the need for players who can actively contribute on the field. Ultimately, Ponting’s insights shed light on the complexities involved in shaping a competitive squad for the T20 World Cup.
Smith’s T20 Career:
Steve Smith initiated his T20 International journey back in 2010 against Pakistan. Over the years, he has accumulated a wealth of experience in the T20I format, participating in 67 matches and amassing an impressive total of 1094 runs. Notably, Smith has maintained a commendable strike rate of 125.46, showcasing his ability to score runs efficiently in the shortest format of the game.
Looking ahead, the T20 World Cup in 2024 is anticipated to be the most significant in the history of the event. With a whopping 55 matches scheduled, the tournament will unfold across nine diverse cities. Among them, three cities in the USA and six in the West Indies have been selected as host venues for the visiting teams. This extensive reach and diverse set of locations adds a unique dimension to the tournament, promising an exciting and globally dispersed showcase of T20 cricket on the grand stage.
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