New Delhi: Steve Smith is aware of speculation regarding his future and categorically dismissed talks of retirement on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old has been Australia’s best batter of the current generation but was left out of their T20 World Cup squad.
A prolific run getter across all formats, the runs have dried up recently, forcing him to relinquish his long held No.4 batting spot in Test matches and open the innings to return to form.
The right hander recently signed a three-year contract with Big Bash League side Sydney Sixers as he gears up to play against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from November.
Smith said he remains keen to represent his country in all the three formats, with his BBL deal with the Sixers guaranteeing him game time in four matches.
“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 said on Tuesday.
“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.”
From No.4 to opener
After long-time opener David Warner’s retirement, Smith has taken up his position at the top of the order against the West Indies and New Zealand.
But he could only make 171 runs in eight innings at an average of 28.25, a marked climb down from his career average of 56.97.
Despite his modest run, Smith could bat an opener against India in the upcoming five-Test series that begins on November 22 at Perth
Though Smith has hinted he could return to his usual number four spot, which some of his team-mates want.
“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,” Smith said.
“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. I’m happy wherever and I’ll bat anywhere for the team.”
Steve Smith was left out of Australia’s T20 World CUp squad but he remains keen to represent his country in all the three formats Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
