ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Steve Smith ready to forgo T20 World Cup 2021 for upcoming Ashes.
ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Star Australian batsman Steve Smith, who is recuperating from elbow injury, prioritises the upcoming Ashes 2021-22 ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. The cricketer said he is ready to skip the World Cup in order to be fit for the high profile Australia vs England Ashes Series.
Owing to his elbow injury, Smith had earlier pulled out of Australia’s West Indies tour for limited overs cricket.
“There’s still a bit of time between now and (the T20 World Cup), and I’m tracking okay at the moment – it’s slow, but I’m going okay,” Smith told cricket.com.au.
The T20 World Cup 2021 has been officially shifted from India to the UAE and Oman following the drastic situations in India. The tournament will begin on October 17, two days after the final of Indian Premier League (IPL).
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While this year’s Ashes series is scheduled to begin on 8th December in Brisbane.
Smith while talking to cricket.com.au said he wishes to be the part of the World Cup team but test cricket for him is pennacle.
“I’d love to be part of the World Cup, for sure, but from my point of view, Test cricket, that’s my main goal – to be right for the Ashes and try to emulate what I’ve done in the last few Ashes series I’ve been involved in,” he said.
The 32-years old cricketer went on to pile up 774 runs in seven innings of Ashes 2019 after he stepped inside the cricket field ending his two years ban due to ball tampering scandal.
“I want to put myself in a position where I can have that kind of impact,” said Smith. “If that does mean not partaking in the World Cup, then we’ll have to go down that path, but hopefully we don’t have to go there.”
With all his statements, Steve Smith is very likely to draw out from the second phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which is scheduled in the UAE.
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ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Steve Smith ready to forgo T20 World Cup 2021 for upcoming Ashes.