With almost 15,000 international runs across all formats, Steve Smith is regarded as one of Australia’s best ever batters in the game of cricket. Fans will be shocked to learn that Smith, the cricket wonder and Australian hero, could have simply worn the English shirt in place of it. The experienced batter’s fascinating life narrative begins with his upbringing. He may benefit from having dual citizenship because his mother, Gillian, is English.
Notably, Smith played club cricket with Sevenoaks Vine in the Kent league during his formative years as a cricketer. When he was thought of more as a leg-spinner who could bat to some extent, Kent and Surrey were both eager to get him. At the time, Paul Farbrace was in charge of Kent’s academy and would later serve as England’s assistant coach.
According to Farbace, Smith showed early promise. “He got runs, fielded brilliantly, took an unbelievable diving catch at backward point, and bowled some decent leg spin,” the Daily Mail said in 2019.
Steve Smith had obvious talent, and Farbrace was eager to give him a job. But Smith’s father had other plans and flatly refused to let him play English cricket.
Steve Smith father Peter strongly interjected, “No, he’s going to play for Australia.”
Steve Smith was astonished to receive a highly lucrative three-year contract offer from Surrey’s then-coach, Alan Butcher. Smith’s goal was to represent Australia, the country of his birth. In his book, “The Journey,” he states:
It wasn’t difficult to decline it after the immediate shock subsided. Tony Ward and I talked about it, and in my opinion, he summed it up quite effectively. He claimed that I was Australian, had grown up there, and desired to play for my country.
When asked about his choice, Smith responds, “I feel more closely connected with Australia than my mother’s influence, which was on the soil of England.” The Australian legend did not forget to emphasize that his love for Australia was what drove him. Smith’s relentless commitment to the green and gold ultimately paid off. In 2010, he made his international debut for Australia, and the rest is, as they say, history.
Mom still speaks with an English accent. Although my allegiance is to Australia, the roots are there. It was always Australia for me. I wanted to play there because it was my home,” Smith said.
Steve Smith had better luck for New South Wales and played well in the opening match of the ODI World Cup 2023.
Steve Smith’s skill was also discovered by Surrey as a result of a tip from a former player, Nadeem Shahid. Although the cricketing environment was different at the time, Smith excelled in two Second XI matches for the county. In the past, Smith was compared to Shane Warne, according to former England bowler Stuart Meaker, who teamed up with Smith for Surrey’s Second XI.
He received a good contract from Surrey, and as he was born in England, he was eligible to play there. However, New South Wales desired him return. Furthermore, he is an Australian,” Meaker continued.
Speaking of his present match, Australia is taking on India in the opening match of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 in Chennai. If Australia were to stand a chance against the hosts, he would bear a lot of the burden. Steve Smith is now having a strong game and has scored 35 runs off of 49 balls in the game’s 20th over after Australia elected to bat first against Team India.
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