SL vs AUS: Australia hope to unlock Steve Smith’s potential in Twenty20 cricket ahead of this year’s World Cup, assistant coach Michael Di Venuto said, as the Test team’s batting mainstay continues to struggle in the shortest format. Follow SL vs AUS Updates with InsideSport.IN
Smith averages 59.77 in Tests and was Australia’s second-highest scorer on their tour of Pakistan earlier this year, hitting three 50-plus scores in four innings.
“We know his skill level, we know his talent so we’re pretty keen to unlock him as a T20 cricketer and just let him go about his business and show us how good he is.”
The world champions left out a more attacking Josh Inglis to accommodate Smith for the first two games against Sri Lanka, which they won to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series.
In a format dominated by muscular batters who can clear the rope at will, Smith’s quiet accumulation of runs means Australia have needed others to bat around him.
Di Venuto was confident Smith would have mastered the format by the time Australia begin their Twenty20 World Cup title defence on home soil in October.
“The skill level is exceptionally high, we’re hoping to unlock him during this period,” he said.
SL vs AUS: Australia keen to UNLOCK Steve Smith in T20, assistant coach says ‘we want him to show how GOOD he is’
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