Steve Smith has been one of the best players for Australia in the history of the longest format of the game. However, he has been always known as one player with solid defense and the ability to play long, gritty innings for his team. So, fans have been always critical of his hitting skills and power game in white-ball formats, especially in the 20-20 format.
Still, he got a place in the final squad for Australia in the 20-20 World Cup 2022. But, Smith got only one match to play. However, as defending champions, they failed to qualify for the semi-final also. Then, many former cricketers and fans slammed the Australian team management for not considering Smith in the line-up despite having regular batting collapses.
Steve Smith has now won three consecutive player of the match awards in last four matches
During that tournament, on the Big Sports Breakfast, the former Aussie skipper, Michael Clarke said: “Like, they took Steve Smith to Western Australia. Flew him to Perth to make him the 12th man – that’s not right. And don’t tell me Steve Smith has to bat No.3 or No.4. If he opens the batting, he will be the leading run-scorer in the T20 World Cup. He’s still that good a player.” Along with him, while speaking on foxsports.com.au., the former England skipper, Michael Vaughan said: “Smith is a timer of the ball hits it in the gaps, knows where his boundary options are and I think if you gave Steve Smith 50 balls he’d get you an 80.”
However, he played only one match in that tournament against Afghanistan. In that clash, he scored only four runs off four balls. So, all eyes were on him when he decided to play the BBL12 for Sydney Sixers. Steve Smith did not play in this league for the last two editions. But, he surprised everyone with his form in this format this time around. As of now, he has played four innings and scored 328 runs in four innings. His average is 109.33 and his strike rate is 180.21. In these four innings, he managed to score two centuries and one fifty-plus score. Smith has even managed to hit 18 fours and 24 sixes so far. Against Adelaide Strikers, he scored 101 runs off 56 balls while Smith scored 125* runs off 66 balls. On 23 January, Steve Smith again scored 66 runs off 33 balls against Hobart Hurricanes.
Here is how fans have reacted to the blistering form of Steve Smith in BBL12:
Steve Smith is in furious mode????
— Vilest (@CR7sHarry) January 23, 2023
I agree too.. All the traditional batters look ugly and boring, but with Steve smith , every ball is interesting ?????
— Rithik Sanghvi (@RithikSanghvi6) January 23, 2023
The Steve Smith live cross factor ? #BBL12
— Falai Moa Sports (@falaimoa) January 23, 2023
None other than Steve Smith ?
He is in his Prime Red Form ??— èxô hàrsh (@jwalasi52651215) January 23, 2023
Steve Smith software update
— Pradhuman Rawat (@Pradhum67715283) January 23, 2023
It's ???? ???? for Steve Smith in Big Bash League 2022-23.#BBL12 #SteveSmith #BigBashLeague #SydneySixers pic.twitter.com/ALts9unYWJ
— CricTelegraph (@CricTelegraph) January 23, 2023
Test cricket in India will be excellent. Steve Smith has been the highlight of BBL but nothing compares to test matches pure cricket
— Dan Smith Zampa Stapleton (@Dan_Stapo) January 23, 2023
BBL Season to remember for Steve Smith ?#BBL12 #SteveSmith #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/GQ0h51iAC5
— Faiz Fazel (@theFaizFazel) January 23, 2023
What Steve Smith is eating in meal nowadays!! #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/eqjVYeXAze
— Armaan Guleria (@arman_guleria) January 23, 2023
