Australian veteran compared Smith to Bradman, said – ‘How can the selectors ignore him’

Steve Smith, 33, has scored 328 runs in four innings for Big Bash League side Sydney Sixers, with scores of 36, 101, 125 not out and 66. Australian veteran wicketkeeper Ian Healy says Smith’s credentials as an opener are difficult to ignore, especially when David Warner and Aaron Finch are struggling with poor form. Healy also compared Smith to the great Don Bradman and said that it was a privilege to watch the cricketer bat

When asked if he would like to see Smith open in the shortest format, Healy said –

“Sure, how could you not? Who started with (David) Warner in the T20 World Cup? It was Finchy (Aaron Finch) who was the captain. Both Warner and Finch are not playing anywhere near Smith , so he has gone past both of them in my view, the way he is batting now.”

Healy said that not just T20 Internationals, the selectors should consider Smith for the opening batsman’s role in next year’s 50-over World Cup in India. “We don’t play a lot of T20 internationals, so hopefully he is doing this with the next World Cup in mind. Even in the 50-over game, I would like him to open,” he added.

Healy indicated that very few batsmen in Australia are close to Smith in terms of technique, saying –

“I think it’s a privilege to watch him. When he gets out, given how difficult the others are, the discrepancy between him and the rest is unbelievable, it’s very Bradman-like. He’s doing it with such ease and how he’s done it, he must have a technical idea of what he’s doing. He’s talking grip and many things, but I love his legs. His legs keep moving And the head remains stable.”

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Healy further said – “When he was at his best form maybe three years ago or four years ago, he was running everywhere, but when the bowlers bowled he would settle down, and his legs would stop. He Often making seven contacts with the ball in the middle of the bat. It feels like a privilege to see him play like that, he wasn’t doing that six months ago.”