Steve Smith, the Australian batting maestro and former captain, has set his sights on an audacious goal: representing Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in cricket’s T20 format. Despite being sidelined from the national T20 setup for nearly two years, Smith refuses to retire from the shortest format, keeping his dreams alive through stellar Big Bash League performances.
His recent century off just 41 balls as an opener for the Sydney Sixers underscored his enduring class in T20 cricket. Opening the innings has liberated Smith, allowing him to unleash his aggressive strokeplay from the first ball, unburdened by the pressures of the middle order.
‘I want to play in the Olympics,’ Smith declared emphatically. His primary focus now is earning a spot in the Australian squad for the LA Games, where cricket returns as an Olympic sport after over a century. To sharpen his edge, Smith spent the off-season in New York honing his fitness and strength training.
Post his ODI retirement, Smith has pivoted to T20 and franchise cricket, prioritizing consistent game time to rebuild rhythm. Upcoming fixtures include at least two more BBL innings with the Sixers this week, followed potentially by Major League Cricket in June-July.
Despite his BBL fireworks, selectors overlooked him for the Pakistan T20 series and the preliminary T20 World Cup 2026 squad. Chief selector George Bailey praised Smith’s opening exploits but highlighted competition from Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, who have anchored the top order effectively. An injury to any preliminary squad member could open doors for Smith.
Smith’s T20I record stands tall: 1,094 runs in 55 innings across 67 matches, including five half-centuries and a best of 90*, often remaining unbeaten. As the Olympics beckon, the 35-year-old’s determination could rewrite his international legacy.