Smith's MLC form fuels Olympic cricket ambitions
The Australian batter's standout performances in Major League Cricket are reviving his T20 credentials and Olympic dreams.
Steve Smith's recent exploits in Major League Cricket have given his Olympic ambitions a significant boost. The Australian star smashed 110 off 48 balls in the MLC Eliminator against MI New York, leading Washington Freedom to chase a record T20 total of 267 with eight balls to spare. That innings was the latest in a string of consistent performances in the US-based league.
In 20 MLC innings, Smith has amassed 684 runs at an average of 45.60 and a strike rate of 138.46, including four half-centuries and a century. His captaincy has also delivered success: Washington Freedom won the 2024 title, with Smith scoring a match-winning 88 in the final. This season, he has already surpassed his 2024 run tally, showcasing his enduring quality.
Smith's overall T20 record is less impressive outside the BBL and MLC. In 264 T20 innings, he averages 33.03 with a strike rate of 132.66, but excluding BBL and MLC, those numbers drop to 29.01 and 127.10. However, his MLC form suggests he can still dominate the shortest format, keeping his Olympic hopes alive as cricket prepares for its return to the Games.