„I could be playing T20 cricket in four years, so you never know,” he said. „It’s a format where I can see myself playing a lot more time than others, especially with a franchise around the world. I’ve signed here for three years and then one more year. It would be great. To be part of the Olympics.”
But for various international formats, it remains Smith’s position. „I don’t have any plans,” he said. „At the moment I’m enjoying playing, I’m very relaxed and I’m looking forward to this summer.”
Of immediate importance to Smith is the upcoming international schedule. He will be back in action next month before the main event of India’s visit to England in the ODIs (again having been ruled out of the T20Is). Smith is relishing the opportunity to face India in the five-match series amid speculation over whether he will continue as Australia’s Test opener.
It will be the first time since 1991-92 that the two teams have faced each other in five Tests, although there has been no shortage of drama in recent four-match series. Australia, who have not beaten India since the 2014-15 series at home, are aiming to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in ten years.
„You can’t hide in a five-Test series like you can in a two-match series, for example,” Smith said. „When someone hits you, it’s hard to bounce back. It’s going to be an amazing series.
„We are probably the two best teams in Test cricket at the moment. We played in the World Test Championship final last year and beat them there. The last two times they have played well here, they have played good cricket. It has been ten years since we last won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, so this Year should do it.
„I’m happy to bat anywhere. Batting at four, I can bowl after the first two balls. I’ve faced the new ball from the start on many occasions.”
Smith on his batting status
If Australia retain their batting line-up since David Warner’s retirement in January, Smith will open against the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. Smith, who is likely to pass 10,000 runs this summer, raised the bar when he told the selectors he was keen for the role. This allowed Cameron Greene to return to a more natural No.4, but results were mixed with Smith scoring 171 runs at an average of 28.50 in four Tests.
It will be a topic that dominates over the next few months as Smith has some Sheffield Shield cricket ahead of the India series.
„The conversations I’ve had so far are we’ll go to England… I’m there for the one-dayers and then make a decision,” he said. „Conversations are happening in the background. You see some comments like Usman’s [Khawaja] He has said he likes me at No. 4, and I think Marnus is of a similar mindset. Let’s wait and see. Happy to bat anywhere.
„For me, it’s a level. Batting at four, I can be there after the first two balls. I’ve faced the new ball from the beginning on many occasions. For me, it’s a number. I batted. We lost wickets in the first over at three for a long time. , I’ll come out and score runs, the only thing I have to get used to is how quickly the field changes when you walk out and you’ve only got ten minutes, especially the level of boredom I have in the dressing rooms.”
Andrew McClashon is Associate Editor at ESPNcricinfo