Steve Smith set for stunning career first after 'pathetic' furore at T20 World Cup

Steve Smith is set to open the batting for Australia in upcoming T20 matches against South Africa in a staggering turnaround after his controversial treatment at last year's World Cup. On Monday, Cricket Australia announced a 14-man squad to tour South Africa later this month, with chair of selectors George Bailey revealing Smith will open.

It marks a bizarre twist for the 34-year-old superstar, who was largely unused during the T20 World Cup last year. Smith only played one game throughout the tournament as selectors opted to use the likes of Aaron Finch, Cameron Green and Tim David instead.

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The treatment of Smith was labelled 'pathetic' and 'disgraceful' by fans, while Mark Taylor later said it was a 'mistake' to overlook Smith as the Aussies failed to make the semi-finals. But with Finch announcing his retirement last year, Smith has emerged as the red-hot candidate to assume his role at the top of the order. The premier Test batter has never opened for his country in the T20 format, batting anywhere from No.3 to No.9.

But his form in the BBL last year when opening the batting was too hard to ignore. Smith blasted two centuries in a short cameo for the Sydney Sixers at the end of the season, becoming the first male Sixers player to register triple figures in a game.

“He’s the one guy out of that multi-format players heading across (for the T20s). We wanted to give him that opportunity,” Bailey said on Monday about the decision to promote Smith to opener.

“It was pretty exhilarating, his innings in the Big Bash, and I thought it highlighted the skill set he has and what he can do. The way he played in the Big Bash, we wanted to see that replicated internationally.

“He was really keen to come across and be a part of that. That may mean he has a rest through a couple of the one-dayers (against South Africa). Certainly excited to see him bring that Big Bash opening outlook into that role internationally.”

Smith now appears to be the prime candidate to open the batting alongside David Warner at next year's T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA. But with Warner rested for the T20 series against South Africa, an opportunity could open up for the likes of Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis and Matt Short.

Mitch Marsh named Australia's new T20 captain

Marsh will captain the Aussies in the three T20 matches, but selectors are yet to settle on a permanent skipper to replace Finch. Test captain Pat Cummins will miss the T20 series after scans confirmed he fractured his wrist in the fifth Ashes Test, with Josh Hazlewood to captain the ODI team in a five-match series that will follow the T20s.

Bailey said Cummins would be fit to lead the side at the ODI World Cup from October 8, but acknowledged that having the same captain for both the T20 and ODI sides "would be nice". "You've got a little bit of continuity across your group and you're not constantly changing," he said of the prospect.

"It's nice to have that common thread throughout, but (we're) also aware that could be a pie-in-the-sky dream. What we don't really know is just what the team looks like post World Cup ... they tend to be the end of the line for some players. We'll keep assessing that as it goes."

Since half-jokingly saying "most of Australia hates me" in 2019, Marsh has starred in Australia's successful T20 World Cup campaign and won back his Test spot on the recent Ashes tour. Bailey said: "In every team he plays he's a natural leader."

Australia T20 squad:

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Australia ODI squad:

Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

T20s v South Africa:

• August 31

• September 2

• September 3

ODIs v South Africa:

• September 7

• September 9

• September 12

• September 15

• September 17

ODIs v India:

• September 22

• September 24

• September 27

with AAP

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