25-02-2025
Steve Smith drops shock career announcement amid frustrating development for Aussies
Steve Smith dropped somewhat of a bombshell on Tuesday night before Australia's clash with South Africa at the Champions Trophy was abandoned without a ball being bowled. The umpires called off the contest in Rawalpindi almost four hours after the toss was meant to be held, with the dire forecast meaning there was no hope of completing at least 20 overs per team to constitute a match.
Australia and South Africa shared the points as a result, throwing Group B wide open and handing a huge unexpected boost to England. All four of South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan and England all still with a chance to advance to the semi-finals, while India and New Zealand have already secured their spots in Group A (at the expense of Pakistan and Bangladesh).
South Africa currently sit on top of Group B after their 107-run thrashing of Afghanistan, followed by Australia - who beat England by five wickets last week. The Aussies face Afghanistan in their final group match on Friday night and are guaranteed to go through to the semis with a win.
But a loss would leave Smith's side vulnerable, with the England-South Africa clash potentially looming as decisive. The washed-out match between Australia and South Africa is undoubtedly a boost to England's hopes. The Poms still need to beat Afghanistan on Thursday and South Africa on Saturday, but doing so would secure their place in the last-four regardless of net run-rate.
Smith revealed on Tuesday night he was considering changing up his team if the match was going to be reduced to 20 overs each, bringing in T20 guns like Jake Fraser-McGurk. "When we were watching the rain fall, we were probably looking at a different team for a rain-reduced game," he said. "You've got to think on your feet with those things. We've got a good squad of 15 players, and you've got to utilise them as well as you can."
Meanwhile, Smith revealed earlier on Tuesday that he'll play in 'The Hundred' tournament for the first time in his career in August, joining the Welsh Fire. He said in a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board: "I'm delighted to be joining Welsh Fire later this summer.
"I was due to be involved with The Hundred at the beginning of the competition so it's great to finally be able to make it to Wales. I've watched The Hundred from afar and I can't wait to be involved. It looks a lot of fun and obviously the cricket is world class, with talent at every team. I'm looking forward to trying out a new format and hopefully playing my part for (head coach) Mike Hussey and the rest of the boys."
Steve Smith at the Home of Welsh Cricket? YES PLEASE! 🔥
— Sophia Gardens (@SophiaGardens) February 25, 2025
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The Welsh Fire are partly owned by IT entrepreneur Sanjay Govil, who also owns the Washington Freedom in America's Major League Cricket. Smith led the Freedom to the MLC title last year alongside Aussie coach Ricky Ponting. The Freedom have a partnership with Cricket NSW, leading to Smith's involvement.
He won't play in MLC this year due to Australia's three-Test tour of the West Indies occurring at the same time. And his involvement in The Hundred will also create some potential headaches considering Australia are slated to play three ODIs and three T20s in South Africa around the same time, although those dates are yet to be confirmed.
The Hundred is set to take place in August, with England captain Ben Stokes opting not to play so he can focus on the Ashes in the Aussie summer. The 33-year-old tore his hamstring while playing for Andrew Flintoff's Northern Superchargers team last August.
He then missed three months after tearing the same hamstring during the third and final Test of England's series in New Zealand in December. He is currently sitting out England's Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan.
with AAP
