T20 World Cup 2021: Shane Warne changes his stance on Steve Smith’s role in Australia

Former Australian cricketer Shane Warne has taken a different stance for Steve Smith in the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The spin wizard said that the right-hander should keep his place in the team as the team’s “Mr Fix-It”. The 32-year-old Smith has played all five matches in the mega event and scored 64 runs an average of 32 and a strike rate of 98.46.

He has got chances to bat in only three out of five innings due to the dominance of Australia’s top-order in the tournament. Warne stated that Smith is someone, who can take charge at a stage when a team loses early wickets. The veteran was also of the opinion that if Australia get off to a flying start, Smith will slide down the batting order below Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell.

Warne took to Twitter and wrote, “Now that the Aussies have their batting order right & finding form. They can win the WC. I wouldn’t have had Smith in my starting X1. But his role as Mr fix it is spot on Lose early wkts he goes in & if they don’t, he slides down & the beasts (Marsh, Stoinis, Maxwell) go in.”

Shane Warne’s tweet

Now that the Aussies have their batting order right & finding form. They can win the WC. I wouldn’t have had Smith in my starting X1. But his role as Mr fix it is spot on ✅. Lose early wkts he goes in & if they don’t he slides down & the beasts (Marsh, Stoinis, Maxwell) go in 👏🏻

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) November 9, 2021

Earlier, Warne said that Smith doesn’t deserve to be in the T20 team. He reckoned that Mitchell Marsh should have gotten a chance. He also said that Maxwell should not be batting in the powerplay.

“Disappointing selection from Australia leaving Marsh out & Maxwell batting in the power play (he should always come in after power play). Stoinis should have gone in. Poor strategy & tactics from the Aussies. I love Smith but he shouldn’t be in the T/20 team. Marsh has to be !!”

Disappointing selection from Australia leaving Marsh out & Maxwell batting in the power play (he should always come in after power play). Stoinis should have gone in. Poor strategy & tactics from the Aussies. I love Smith but he shouldn’t be in the T/20 team. Marsh has to be !!

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) October 30, 2021

Australia have already qualified for the semis after finishing second in Group 1 with eight points and an excellent net run rate of 1.216. Aaron Finch and Co. also edged South Africa to the semis on the basis of a superior nrr.

The Aussies will now be facing Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, in the semis on Thursday, November 11 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.