Steve Smith's extraordinary $12 million windfall after year from hell

Turns out Steve Smith’s year in the wilderness wasn’t all bad.

A stunning new report from the Australian Financial Review has revealed how the star batsman has made $12 million on a savvy investment back in 2015.

According to the AFR, Smith invested $100,000 for a 10% stake in Koala Mattresses, an investment that’s now worth $12.1 million.

The star batsman also became a brand ambassador and advertises Koala on his bats while out in the middle.

In four years, Koala has reportedly amassed over 200,000 customers and in July was valued at around $150 million.

Smith’s stake of $12.18 million is said to make his overall net worth some $31 million, up from $27m in 2018.

The astounding figure is even more remarkable considering Smith missed out on an estimated $5 million in sponsorship earnings during his suspension.

His earnings from Koala are now believed to be worth more than what he’s earned from playing cricket.

Smith’s taunt infuriates England

England legend Geoffrey Boycott says England should feel embarrassed by a throwaway line from Smith after the first Ashes Test.

Following match-winning twin centuries of 144 and 142 in his first Test since the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, Smith was understandably over the moon.

“I love Test cricket and I love playing against England,” Smith said at the time.

“It’s a terrific place to play Ashes cricket and these last four days, it’s felt like Christmas morning every morning coming to do this.”

However the seemingly innocent quote hasn’t sat well with Boycott, who says it should be an embarrassing wake-up call for England that they’re being likened to the enjoyment of Christmas.

“He is right but a comment like that should be embarrassing for the England players and should really hurt them,” Boycott wrote for The Telegraph on Tuesday.

Boycott also said England need a radical re-think of their tactics against Smith.

“Why not try bowling at the stumps with plenty of protection on the on side?” he pondered.

“If he misses then leg before and bowled come back into play.

“Our seamers have yet to try bowling around the wicket to him.

“They are quick to go around the wicket to left-handers and in fact prefer that mode of attack but not to Smith.”