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Steve Smith, who was dropped from Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, shines in the MLC final – FirstSportz
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Steve Smith, who was dropped from Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, shines in the MLC final – FirstSportz

The Washington Freedom and the San Francisco Unicorns faced each other in the Major League Cricket (MLC) final at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. Corey Andersonthe captain of the San Francisco Unicorns, won the toss and elected to bowl first. Despite losing the dangerous Travis Head early in the innings, Washington Freedom’s Steve Smit to put on a show.

He scored 88 runs from 52 balls and kept the scoreboard ticking at one end. His Australian teammate, Glenn Maxwell stepped up and scored a quick cameo.

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Maxwell smashed 40 runs from 22 balls to take Freedom’s score to 207/5 at the end of 20 overs. Steve Smith showed his attacking knock as he hit 7 fours and 6 sixes at a strike-rate of 169.23.

It was Smith who stood out on another big night. Unicorns were all out for 111 in just 16 overs and Washington Freedom won the match by 96 runs.

Steve Smith has been dropped from Australia’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad

Smith is a legend in Test cricket and is one of the best batters ever produced in the format. However, he has yet to make an impact in the shortest format of the game for Australia. Smith has struggled to get going and make his moves in T20I cricket. He has struggled particularly with his strike rate and ability to produce an aggressive innings in this format. Smith has even played as an opener but has not been able to get going.

Steve Smith, who was dropped from Australia's T20 World Cup squad, shines in the MLC final
Steve Smith (via ESPNCricinfo)

In the recent 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA, Smith was left out of Australia’s squad. Later in the tournament, Australia were knocked out in the Super 8 stage.

Smith’s low strike rate and failure to play an impactful innings saw him excluded from Australia’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, he proved his worth with a stunning innings in the MLC final that led his team to victory.

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