By Liam Grima, ACS Journalism Scholar (mentored by The Footy Almanac‘s John Harms).
Off the back of his 38th test match hundred and another successful Ashes campaign as stand-in skipper for Australia, Steve Smith is certainly not showing any signs of slowing down. Australia’s number 4 continued on his merry way in 2025, with 651 test runs at an average of above 50, reaching the milestone of 10,000 test match runs. Australia has finalised its squad for their T20 World Cup campaign, and the question on everyone’s lips at the moment is why wasn’t Steve Smith considered good enough to be selected? Why don’t his experience, control and adaptability play a fundamental role in achieving success in T20 cricket?
T20 cricket today in any part of the world is a game of moments, and, above all, demands adaptability, clarity under pressure and an ability to read the situation of the game beyond sheer power and explosive hitting alone. While he has not been known as a natural six hitter or for his sheer power hitting, Smith has shown over the course of his career, in all forms of the game, his proficiency in reading conditions, manipulating fields and absorbing pressure at crucial moments, qualities that continue to separate him from his fellow competitors. In a T20 world cup environment, attributes like this may prove to be the key in the Australians pursuit of another tournament victory.
Closer to home, alongside his red ball record, Smith’s recent run of form for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, has strengthened the case for an injection into the Australian squad. Incredibly, in his last 15 innings opening the batting for the Sixers, Smith amassed a monumental 879 runs at an average of 73.25, including 4 centuries, already the most in Big Bash history. Additionally, since his return to the BBL in 2026, the Sixers opener never looked in better touch with the bat, enhancing his scoring repertoire and illustrating a clear understanding of modern T20 demands, operating at a strike rate of 172.84, placing him firmly among the competition’s most damaging batters. Smith’s form with the Sixers highlighted his ability to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape that is T20 cricket, and proved that he offers both control and explosiveness when it matters and is required most.
The unpredictable conditions in India and Sri Lanka will certainly pose a significant challenge for the Australian top order, particularly the likes of Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green and the young, emerging prospect Cooper Connolly. Should the top order come unstuck, responsibility will shift to Australia’s middle order, placing significant pressure on Tim David, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, all of whom enter the tournament with question marks over recent T20 form. That concern was only intensified last week when Australia was comprehensively dismantled in a 3-0 series defeat at the hands of Pakistan, capped off with a 111-run loss in the 3rd and final T20 at Lahore, the Aussies’ most emphatic defeat in the format. Australia’s loss in Lahore served as a reminder of the experience, adaptability, and versatility that Smith could provide to this struggling Australian outfit. While his standout T20 form comes from opening the batting, Smith has the ability to contribute with the bat in any position that requires him most, capable of guiding a chase, steadying a collapse, or setting a platform that allows others to play with freedom, adjusting his role depending on the conditions that India and Sri Lanka bring.
Australia don’t have a lot of time to turn things around, with their first tournament match kicking off against Ireland on February 11th . Fortunately for the Aussies, their group stage appears manageable, entering as clear favourites to finish top against Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. However,
Australia’s path is likely to collide with the world’s best; defending champions, India, 2022 champions, England, and other top competitors South Africa and New Zealand. Steve Smith’s importance in the Australian lineup extends far beyond just runs, but in his ability to thrive and succeed against the world’s most formidable bowlers. He has shown expertise and skill in handling the pace and precision of Jasprit Bumrah on testing Indian wickets, holding his ground and defying England’s Jofra Archer and Mark Wood under relentless pressure, and multiple encounters with South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada over the years, which has equipped Smith with the skills necessary to guide Australia through the tournament.
Steve Smith does not need to be the anchor or the focal point of Australia’s T20 plans for the 2026 World Cup, but ruling him out of the squad entirely may overlook the skills and qualities that could make the difference between winning and losing world tournaments. As Australia begins the quest for a second T20 World Cup, the call to move on without Steve Smith will ultimately be measured by how Australia responds to the pressure in the tightest of moments. Smith may no longer embody the future of Australian cricket, but recent performances suggest he remains a relevant part of its T20 World Cup team, and potentially, its next tournament victory.
Australian Cricket Society’s literary scholar Liam Grima is mentored by writer John Harms. His pieces are also published at www.footyalmanac.com.au .