Australian batsman Steve Smith showcased his prowess by scoring a half-century in a rain-affected warm-up match held in Thiruvananthapuram on a Saturday. However, it was the fiery pacer Mitchell Starc who stole the spotlight, claiming a remarkable hat-trick that dismantled the Netherlands' top-order batting lineup ahead of the 50-overs World Cup. Read more on TOI
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Cricket Australia's Smith, also known as Steven Smith, is an Australian international cricketer. He was born on June 2, 1989, in Sydney, New South Wales. Smith is considered one of the best batsmen in the world and has achieved numerous records and accolades throughout his career. Smith made his international debut for Australia in 2010 in a T20I match against Pakistan. He then went on to represent Australia in Test and One Day International (ODI) formats. He quickly established himself as a reliable batsman and became an integral part of the Australian cricket team. In Test cricket, Smith has been highly successful, averaging over 60 runs per innings. He has scored several double centuries and has been ranked as the number one Test batsman in the ICC Player Rankings multiple times. Smith's unorthodox batting technique, which involves unique footwork and exaggerated movements, has been widely discussed and analyzed by cricket experts. Smith has also been a part of the Australian team in ODI cricket, where he has showcased his skills as a middle-order batsman. He has scored centuries and played crucial innings in various matches, contributing to Australia's success in limited-overs cricket. Apart from his batting prowess, Smith is known for his exceptional fielding skills. He is an agile fielder and has taken remarkable catches throughout his career. He has often been stationed in the slips or close-in positions to take catches off the edges of the bat. In 2018, Smith faced a major controversy during the infamous ball-tampering incident in a Test match against South Africa. He, along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, was found guilty of attempting to alter the condition of the ball with sandpaper. As a result, Smith was stripped of his captaincy and banned from playing international cricket for a year. After serving his ban, Smith made a successful comeback to international cricket and continued to perform at a high level. He was appointed as the captain of the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2021, further showcasing his leadership abilities. Overall, Smith's contributions to Australian cricket have been significant, and he continues to be a key player for the national team. His batting skills, fielding abilities, and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset to Cricket Australia.