Steve Smith hits his groove – but too late for Australia’s T20 World Cup squad

Steve Smith has been in superb form in the Big Bash League for the Sydney Sixers, scoring 275 runs, including one century, in five innings. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/AAP

Considering that Steve Smith was once observed changing gloves after facing eight balls, it is no surprise to see him throw down a gauntlet. The surprise is that he is doing so in 20-over cricket, the format where his batting has historically made the most modest impression.

It is an incongruity of Australia’s season that Smith has the hottest hand in the Big Bash League and it is too late to have him considered for an imminent World Cup with the squad selected weeks ago. Smith wanted to be there, but his bigger concern is not the T20 World Cup of 2026. It’s the Los Angeles Olympics of 2028.