Legendary Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy has questioned domestic selectors about Steve Smith’s lack of consideration for the role of opener in whiteball cricket.
Smith, 33, has scored 66 runs in four innings, scoring 328 runs and not retiring with 36, 101 and 125 for the Sydney Sixers in the Big He Bash League (BBL).
Healy says it’s hard to ignore Smith’s credentials as an opener, especially since David Warner and Aaron Finch are far from the best.
Finch retired from ODI late last year after a dismal season that saw the organizers end the T20 World Cup early at home.
Healy also compared Smith to the legendary Don Bradman, saying it was a “privilege” to watch a cricket bat. When asked if he’d like to see Smith in the shortest format, Healy replied, “Absolutely, why couldn’t you?” “Who opened with (David) Warner at the T20 World Championship? Finch [Aaron Finch] captained him, Warner and Finch haven’t played as well as Smith, so I think he’s overtaking them both with the way he’s batting now,” Healy said Wednesday. told Sportsday NSW.
The 58-year-old added that selectors should consider not only his T20Is, but Smith as well for the role of opener at the World Over-50 Championship in India next year.
“We don’t get to play in his T20 internationally much, so he hopes to achieve it (a big goal at the BBL) ahead of the next World Cup. Even in a 50-over match, I will go ahead with him. Healy noted that few Australian batsmen come close to Smith in terms of technique.
“I think it’s an honor to see him. When he goes out and sees how hard other people are doing, the gap between him and the others is incredible and it’s very Bradman style.
“He makes it so easy and the way he does it, he’ll have a technical idea of what he’s doing. He talks about grips and stuff, but I think his legs are I like it.His legs are stable and his head is stable..
“Maybe three or four years ago when he was at his best he was flying all over the place but by the time the bowler delivered the ball he was dead and his feet were pinned. . “He finds the middle of the racket incredibly often. It feels like a privilege to see him play like that. He wasn’t doing it six months ago. “