Australia’s selectors have not officially shut the door on Steven Smith’s T20I future, even if the veteran batter currently sits outside the national setup. Smith has not played a T20 international since early 2024, but he has not retired from the format and continues to harbour long-term ambitions, most notably, a place in Australia’s squad for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket will make its return.

Smith’s recent exploits in the Big Bash League have only strengthened his case. A late entrant into the tournament, the 35-year-old produced back-to-back standout performances for the Sydney Sixers, hammering a scintillating 41-ball century at the Sydney Cricket Ground before following it up with a fluent 54 off 40 against the Brisbane Heat to guide his side into the Qualifier.

Despite that run of form, Smith was overlooked for Australia’s three-match T20I series against Pakistan and was not drafted into the provisional T20 World Cup squad either. While that squad can still be tweaked until January 31, changes are expected only in the case of injuries, with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head firmly locked in as the preferred opening combination.

Chairman of selectors George Bailey acknowledged Smith’s red-hot domestic form but pointed to Australia’s depth in the top order. “It’s a great problem to have,” Bailey said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “He’s playing incredibly well, as he has done in the BBL for the last couple of years, in a position that we’ve got really good coverage in. But if there were moving parts and something was required, no doubt his name would be in the mix.”

Bailey also stressed Smith’s adaptability, refusing to pigeonhole him into one role. “I’d hate to put a line through saying Steve couldn’t bat anywhere else. He’s proven his ability to adapt on a number of occasions. Clearly, when he goes back to the Big Bash, he’s a level above,” he added.

Smith, who missed the previous T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, last played T20Is as an opener—the only time he has batted at the top of the order for Australia in the format. Speaking candidly after the Heat game, he admitted his short-term prospects appear slim while reiterating his longer-term goal.

“I always want to play for Australia in big tournaments, but I think that ship’s sailed,” Smith said. “They’ve got two opening batters doing pretty well. I’m relaxed, having some fun here. My main goal is the Olympics. I’d be keen to be part of that, it’d be pretty cool. You never know.”

Since his last international appearance, Smith has averaged 51.18 in T20 cricket (including The Hundred) at a strike rate of 156. In his last five BBL innings alone, he has registered two centuries and two half-centuries, with all four of his BBL hundreds coming as an opener. By contrast, his overall T20I strike rate stands at 125.45, shaped largely by years spent batting at No. 3 or No. 4.

Smith believes his evolution as a T20 batter is closely tied to role clarity. “Earlier, my job was often to rebuild if early wickets fell. I wasn’t always the guy who could just go out and play freely,” he explained. “Opening the batting gives me the chance to be free from ball one, play instinctively and have some fun.”

One factor behind Smith’s decision to retire from ODIs after last year’s Champions Trophy was a desire to play more franchise cricket. Off-seasons spent in leagues such as Major League Cricket and The Hundred, along with extensive strength work, have visibly transformed his game.

“I’m trying to get stronger and hit the ball a bit further,” Smith said. “But the biggest thing is rhythm. Playing consistent franchise cricket helps you stay in tune with the format. It’s hard when you play three games and then don’t touch T20S again for six months.”

For now, Smith may be outside Australia’s immediate T20 plans, but with form, fitness and an Olympic-sized target in sight, he is far from done.

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