Fresh from helping Australia secure a dominant 4-1 Ashes series victory over England, former Test captain Steve Smith has set his sights on a new, glittering prize: Olympic gold.
From the Ashes to the Olympic Dream
In an exclusive interview with 7NEWS, the 36-year-old batting maestro opened up about his ambition to compete at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where cricket will feature in the T20 format. Smith revealed his recent decision to step away from one-day international cricket was a strategic move to prolong his career in the shortest form of the game, with the Olympic stage firmly in his sights.
"I finished playing one day cricket so I could play some more short form stuff around my Test matches," Smith said. "You know I’d love to be a part of an Olympics, that’d be pretty cool. So that’s certainly a goal of mine."
The Test legend, who will be 39 when the LA Games begin, is now focused on reclaiming his spot in Australia's T20 side to make a splash on the Olympic platform. Smith boasts a strong T20 pedigree, having been part of the Australian squad that won its first T20 World Cup in 2021 and scoring over 1,000 runs in T20 internationals. He was also a core member of Australia's triumphant 2015 and 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup teams.
Starc Swaps Red Ball for Big Bash Return
Meanwhile, Smith's teammate, fast bowler Mitchell Starc, is refusing to rest on his laurels after a spectacular Ashes series. Crowned Player of the Series for his devastating performances, the left-arm quick is set for a long-awaited return to the Big Bash League (BBL) with the Sydney Sixers.
Starc's first BBL match since December 2014 comes after a phenomenal Ashes campaign where he was undoubtedly the best bowler on either side. He claimed a career-best 31 wickets at an average of 19.93, maintained an average pace above 140km/h across 153.1 overs, and even showcased his batting prowess with two half-centuries, including a top score of 77 in the second Test.
Having retired from international T20s last year, Starc said his rest period would come during the T20 World Cup starting in February. "I’ve got two months to rest after the Big Bash," Starc said. "There’s still enough in the tank to get through T20 cricket for another couple of weeks, and then I can put my feet up."
While admitting he needs to "dust the cobwebs off" with the white ball, Starc hopes to guide the Sydney Sixers to their fourth BBL title this summer.
Sydney Smash Showdown
The immediate focus for both stars is Friday night's highly anticipated Sydney Smash at the SCG, where Smith and Starc will line up for the Sixers against cross-town rivals, the Sydney Thunder. This match marks a thrilling transition from the historic red-ball battle of the Ashes to the fast-paced spectacle of the BBL, as two of Australia's cricketing giants pursue new chapters in their decorated careers.
