Steve Smith has set his sights on a new goal after being left out of Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. He wants a place in the team for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, where cricket will return to the Games for the first time since 1900.
The former Australia captain admitted he understands why selectors have moved on, with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head clearly established as the preferred openers. But Smith has not closed the door on T20 cricket and believes the Olympics offers a new motivation late in his illustrious career.
“I always want to play for Australia in big tournaments,” Smith said after scoring 56 for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League. “But I think that ship’s sailed (T20 World Cup 2026). I reckon they’ve got two opening batters that are doing pretty well. I’m relaxed doing what I can here and having some fun. My main goal, as I’ve said before, is to get in the team when the Olympics is rolling around. I’d be keen to do that. That’d be pretty cool. Keep doing what I’m doing and you never know.”
Smith has looked in strong touch this BBL season, scoring a century and a half-century in three innings while opening the batting. He revealed he has worked on his power game in the off-season, trying to adapt to the demands of modern T20 cricket. “I’m trying to get a bit stronger and hit the ball a little bit further. I’ve got to keep up with the guys who hit it a mile,” he said.
Steve Smith’s BBL stats
| Tournament | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBL (Overall) | 36 | 1372 | 125* | 49.00 | 150.27 | 4 | 9 | 98 | 61 |
| BBL 2025/26 | 3 | 173 | 100 | 86.50 | 176.53 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 10 |
Olympics gives Smith a new target
Cricket at LA 2028 will be played in the T20 format with only six teams in both men’s and women’s events. Qualification is expected to be based on ICC rankings, with the USA likely to get automatic entry as hosts.
Smith retired from ODIs after the 2025 Champions Trophy to focus on franchise cricket and keep himself relevant in T20 leagues. With IPL opportunities drying up, he has turned to the BBL and Major League Cricket to stay in rhythm. At 35, time is not on his side, but Smith has rebuilt his white-ball game before. He looked in insane touch during his century against Sydney Thunders. Some of his shots were mind-blowing, with ‘Smudge’ picking up lengths way early and sending them for 107-m sixes as well. Steve Smith will be in action today as well, with Sydney Sixers taking on Perth Scorchers in Qualifier of BBL 15.
“I stopped playing one-day cricket to play a few more franchise things so I can keep playing this format more and get the rhythm of the game. It can be tough sometimes when you come and play three games and then go away and play another three games six months later. So to be able to play some consistent games and just get the rhythm of the game, that’s pretty important,” concluded the legendary batter.
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