Michael Clarke was left fuming at Australia’s “confusing” selections after it was confirmed that Steve Smith will be opening the batting in the T20Is against South Africa.
Smith has not made a single fifty in his last 23 T20I innings, since November 2019. Since then, he has scored 431 runs at an average of 22.68 with a strike rate of 121 and a high score of 46. No other Australian batter with 200 runs have a lower strike rate in this period.
He batted four times in the 2021 T20 World Cup, making 69 runs at 23 and a dismal strike rate of 97; and failed to reach 20 seven times in his next nine innings. After a disappointing run in the warm-up matches of the 2022 T20 World Cup, where he made 8, 9, 17 and 7*, he was not selected for the XI at the main event.
Smith returned to play against Afghanistan but made a run-a-ball four, and has not played a T20I since. However, he showed his skills at the Big Bash League that followed, with successive hundreds while opening, making 101 (56) and 125 (66) for Sydney Sixers.
With former Australia skipper Aaron Finch announcing international retirement, Australia are on the lookout for openers. George Bailey, the chair of selectors, has confirmed that Smith would be filling in the role during the upcoming T20Is against South Africa.
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The decision has not impressed Clarke, who expressed his befuddlement while speaking on Big Sports Breakfast: “I don’t understand. That, to me, is embarrassing for the selectors. They had him in the World Cup squad last year, and he couldn’t make the XI. He doesn’t get a game, we go terribly in the World Cup.
“Selections over the past 15 months have been absolutely confusing. Smith not playing in that World Cup, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There’s just no accountability. It’s just swept under the carpet. I feel like I’m just watching a different game.
“I don’t know what they’re thinking with Smithy in the T20s. I don’t think he’s playing any other T20 cricket around the world. He’s not getting a gig in the IPL, didn’t get picked up there.”
Smith last played a T20 game in January this year, when he turned out against Perth Scorchers in the BBL.
The first T20I between the two teams will be played on August 30.
