The star Aussie batter Steve Smith expressed his aspirations of featuring in a T20I for Australia in the Olympics, but admitted that playing for his country in big T20I tournaments may not be possible anymore, saying “that ship has sailed,” according to ESPNcricinfo.

Smith, who last featured in a T20I for Australia back in February 2024, recently smashed a 42-ball 100 for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL), followed by 54 off 40 deliveries against Brisbane Heat to help the Sixers into the Qualifier final.

However, Smith acknowledged that his chances in major Australian tournaments may be limited, but he’s focused on enjoying cricket, performing well, and aiming for a spot in the team for the 2028 LA Olympics.

“I always want to play for Australia in big tournaments. But I think that ship’s sailed. I reckon they’ve got two opening batters that are doing pretty well. I’m relaxed, doing what I can here and having some fun. My main goal, as I’ve said before, is to get in the team when the Olympics is rolling around. I’d be keen to do that. That’d be pretty cool. Keep doing what I’m doing and you never know,” Smith said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

In T20Is, Smith has scored 1094 runs in 67 matches for Australia, at an average of 24.86 and a strike rate of 125.45.Smith has, of late, batted as an opener for the T20 franchises that he has featured for around the world.

Notably, Smith’s T20 stats showcase that he has the best credentials as an opener compared to other positions that he has batted in. As an opener, Smith has an average of 47.67 and a strike rate of 155.08.

Smith explained that previously he often had to stabilise the innings in the middle order, but opening allows him to play more freely, enjoy batting, and take on the bowlers from the start.

“I’ve played some different roles. A lot of the time when I was playing, I was the guy that had to stick it together in the middle. If there were a couple of early wickets I’d have to be the one to rebuild. I wasn’t always the go out and play freely kind of player. It was a different kind of role. Since opening the batting, it gives me an opportunity to just be free from ball one, see it as I see it and take it on and have some fun out there,” he said.

Smith said he’s working on increasing his power to compete with big hitters, but the main change is that opening the batting suits his style, allowing him to play more freely and target unique areas.

“I’m trying to get a bit stronger and hit the ball a little bit further,” he said.

“I’ve got to try and keep up with some of the guys that hit the ball a mile. But honestly, I don’t think a lot’s changed. I’ve had the opportunity now just to open the batting. Obviously starting with two out it kind of suits me. I hit the ball to some unique areas. It’s nice to bat up top like most people want to do.”

The former Australian cricketer and the current Chair of Selectors for the Australian men’s cricket team, George Bailey, stated that Smith’s name is still “in the mix” for the national T20I team, ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.

Notably, Australia have already announced their provisional T20 World Cup 2026 squad, and although changes can be made until January 31, the selectors will alter their plans only in the event of injuries.

George Bailey said that Steve Smith’s strong BBL form makes him a valuable option for Australia’s T20I team, and while the team already has good options, Smith would be considered if any changes were needed.

“It’s a great problem to have, isn’t it? He’s playing incredibly well, as he has done in the BBL for the last couple of years, in a position that we’ve got really good coverage in. But if there were moving parts and something was required around there, no doubt his name would be in the mix,” said Bailey as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“I’d hate to put a line through saying that Steve couldn’t bat anywhere else, because I think he’s proven us wrong, or he’s proved his ability to be able to do that on a number of occasions. I think when he’s had international opportunities of late, it has been at the top. Certainly, his most recent ones have been. He’s played a lot of international T20 cricket. Clearly, when he goes back to the Big Bash, he is a level above,” Bailey said further.

Published – January 20, 2026 02:24 am IST

New Delhi:

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti talked about the format of cricket in the 2028 Olympics and asserted that the US will be one of the teams to feature in the event.

Cricket will be a part of the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 and will make its return after 128 years to the multi-sport extravaganza, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Monday.

While speaking to ANI, Mr Garcetti said, “The cricket format will probably have 6-8 teams and the US will be one of them.”

Baseball was also one of the sports that was included in the list of sports which holds a high percentage of popularity in the US fan base. While talking about the inclusion of baseball, Mr Garcetti expressed his delight over the announcement and sent a message about not choosing between cricket and baseball but loving them both.

“It is a Hollywood story. We know that the world increasingly embraces American football. It is played in Europe, we have had games here in Asia. Lacrosse is meaningful to us…It is an amazing, dynamic fast game. We love baseball and softball. My message is, you don’t have to choose between cricket and baseball. You can love both of them. Squash is easy to set up in any Olympics. So, we want to see more team sports. We are going to have a record number of athletes who break every record and more athletes in LA Olympics,” Mr Garcetti said.

Voicing concerns over the ongoing wars, Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas in the world, Mrr Garcetti said that in ancient times everybody used to put down their weapons so that sports may unite them.

“I think we have wars and conflicts around the world. The tradition of the Olympics was the Olympic truce, in ancient times everybody put down their weapons to have sports unite us. While unfortunately now sometimes wars do not end but for the moment, if you let the world come together. So we hope that this inspires people that peace is better than war, that participating together is better than conflict,” the US Envoy added.

Mr Garcetti also took to X, formerly Twitter, to say that cricket in the Olympics was due for a long time and its inclusion reflects the diversity of both countries – India and the US.

“Cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics has been a long time coming. It also reflects the great diversity and athleticism of both of our countries. I am so glad to be in India, the cricketing capital of the world, to celebrate this landmark moment in #SportsDiplomacy! A big thank you to Nita Ambani, @M_Raj03, Casey Wasserman, @JayShah, and all the esteemed guests who joined me to celebrate the love of sports this evening. #LA28,” Mr Garcetti wrote on X.

Cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics has been a long time coming. It also reflects the great diversity and athleticism of both of our countries. I am so glad to be in India, the cricketing capital of the world, to celebrate this landmark moment in #SportsDiplomacy!
A big thank… pic.twitter.com/dgC7kOzfWf

— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) October 16, 2023

The IOC session in Mumbai was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. The session serves as a key meeting of the members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Important decisions regarding the future of the Olympic games are made at the IOC Sessions. India is hosting the IOC session for the second time after a gap of about 40 years. The IOC’s 86th session was held in New Delhi in 1983.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that as a cricket loving nation, India specially welcomes the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles Olympics, reflecting the rising global popularity of this “wonderful sport”.

Cricket was on Monday formally included in the programme for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, delivering a massive boost to the game’s global ambitions.

Besides cricket, which will be played in the T20 format, the other sports approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during its 141st session, were squash, baseball/softball, lacrosse and flag football.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “Absolutely delighted that baseball-softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash will feature in @LA28. This is great news for sportspersons.”

Absolutely delighted that baseball-softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash will feature in @LA28. This is great news for sportspersons. As a cricket loving nation, we specially welcome inclusion of cricket, reflecting the rising global popularity of this wonderful… https://t.co/tnwrzqVPfL

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 16, 2023

“As a cricket-loving nation, we specially welcome inclusion of cricket, reflecting the rising global popularity of this wonderful sport,” the Prime Minister said.

IOC president Thomas Bach made the announcement of cricket’s inclusion along with other sports after the recommendation of the Executive Board was put to vote through a raise of hands.

The proposal to include the five sports recommended by the LA28 Organising Committee was opposed by only two of the 99 IOC members.

Italy’s Olympic champion shooter and sports director at LA28, Niccolo Campriani, referred to Indian superstar Virat Kohli’s popularity while making the pitch to the IOC in Mumbai.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Image for representation purpose only.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Five sports, including cricket and squash, were included in the 2028 Los Angeles Games on Monday after gaining the approval of the International Olympic Committee.

Cricket makes its return to the Olympics after more than 100 years after the sport was approved for inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Games by the International Olympic Committee’s executive board.

IOC president Thomas Bach, speaking after the second day of an executive board meeting in Mumbai on October 13, said officials had accepted a proposal by LA organisers for Twenty20 cricket to be included as one of five new sports together with baseball/softball, flag football (non-contact American football), squash and lacrosse.

But the final choice of which sports are on the 2028 programme was voted today at the IOC session in Mumbai. Each host city, under IOC rules, can request the inclusion of several sports for their edition of the Games.

The LA Games proposal is for a six-team Twenty20 cricket tournament for men and women. T20 is a short format of the game.

The IOC hopes cricket’s inclusion will activate and engage a large, new Olympic audience, especially among Asian fans of the sport.

Cricket has been played in the Olympics only once before, in Paris in 1900, when England defeated France.

(With inputs from Reuters, PTI)