Steve Smith is finding some IPL form, but does that justify his World Cup selection?

I don't have a problem with Smith being in the team but I won't be expecting to much from him. A strike rate of 110 doesn't cut the mustard of IPL. He's lost a game and won a game for them but he is a great drawcard, being the greatest Australian batsman since Bradman, so earns his stripes. He may improve at T20 but I'm content that he scores centuries so regularly for the Australian Test team and is more than useful in the other formats.

Hi Chris. Best he got, 2017 was tenth

He's only not in the top 100 rankings because of the suspension. I looked into it at one point and worked out that it seems around the 14 month point, dependent on games being played, since a player last played an ODI that they will drop off the list. It's possible that he will have dropped off the test rankings prior to the Ashes tests starting too. Of course, the moment he plays a match he will appear back on the list. I don't know where on the list he was at the point when his name disappeared through not playing in the allotted period of time, but I guarantee it was definitely in the top 100. David Warner doesn't currently have an ODI ranking either! Same reason.

If the team was an athletics relay team, they'd say the individuals have tapered well. It's about programs that suit the athlete to peak at the right time. All those columns of doubt have been based on 3 1/2 years of experimenting with players and game plans. The last couple of months is gearing up for the main event. Sure form can be transitory and injury can severely affect preparations, but that's what depth is supposed to cover. England can be number 1 a year out, Australia has proven 5 times that they have the tournament knowhow to be number 1 when it really counts.

Pedigree has to do with his ability to play at international level and he's proven that. We know why his ranking is low, hard to keep it up if you aren't playing. Being a contracted player is important, especially as that is a new contract signed in the last month. It says he's a valuable asset, so you use him as soon as he's available. He's one of only a couple of players you are happy to play in a tournament like this to find form in the early games, because he's a proven asset.

You've made some interesting points but I want to query a few of them. Smith has not played an international ODI for over a year, but then gain Starc & Hazelwood have only play 3 games since January 2018 and neither have played any cricket for a few months. I realize Hazelwood's not in the squad but if he was uninjured, would have been there in place of Behrendorff. I think there are a handful of exceptional cricketers around the world who could bowl or bat effectively in any format. The mistake people make is to think that ALL can - or at least the majority can do that. In Australia, Maxwell, for example can play equally effectively in ODIs & T20, Cummins can do likewise in Tests & ODIs, while Warner & Smith can do well in all three formats. Smith has had some lead up cricket and will get more game time in ODI format before the Cup starts. If he had to go in cold without those practice matches, I'd agree he might be a risk but assuming his form holds as it is now, I think he's a certainty to be our best XI

Sorry my bad. I guess I should have thought twice about level headed.

That’s not the smith i remember Tanty chucker and demander of perfection from others (he inherited.G Chappell body language) anyway I hope he goes ok. If he gets a game Prefer to see him rest the elbow and get back into the Test groove

Form in one format definetly does not guarantee form in another. Excluding Smith however means excluding a player who brings more than just batting and runs. He brings experience, leadership and level headedness under pressure. There is not a team in the World Cup who would be mighty relieved to see Steve Smith excluded.

Hi insult. All you saying is correct. A few points, one being some have concerns about current ‘form’, particularly against international teams, quaintly players. Test batting pedigree - for sure, odi - currently not in top 100, 7 Australia’s are. I think his best was 2017 where he was 10th. Sunil gavaskar, great at test. Not the same for odi. I think you should pick a player just because they a previous World Cup winner (4 years ago). Yes he is skilled. Fit? He is returning from surgery, not tested against those international teams. Contracted player I think is not too important in who to pick. Served suspension = automatically back in? That’s what author is pointing at. No odi in previous year. Some Domestic games, two Bangladesh games for comilla Victoria’s - 16 of 17 and 2 of 4. Royals games - 8 of ten played, ave about 38 at about 110sr. Another point is picking player for one format from another’s formats records. I think is questionable. That’s all people who are not putting him into odi side automatically are meaning.

yeah righty-o

I think Geoff raises interesting points about Smith's last couple of months, along with Handscomb's form and all the test cricket coming up after the WC. Smith's selection is certainly more nuanced than simply boiling down to whether or not he has talent, as he obviously has it in spades. That said, I don't take issue with him being named in the squad as much as some others do.

Yes, yes it does.

Anyone questioning Steve Smith’s place in the squad, you’d seriously have to consider how much they know about cricket.

Amazing what can happen in a few weeks.

Even better innings this morning! He's starting to play some of those freakish shots only he can play. Stoinis is showing glimpses of turning his form around Shame about turner still an opening 3 of khawaja finch and smith can consistently give us a platform while warner maxwell and stoinis have the power to accelerate. Things look better than they did a month ago and much better than a year ago

Batting pedigree - check. Previous World Cup winner - check. Ability to settle an innings - check. Ability to change speed and accelerate innings - check. Fit - check. CA contracted player - check. Served suspension - check. Ok, then good to go.

I honestly don't care what you say about niggling injuries or perceived lack of prep/form: for me, Steve Smith is an absolute necessity for the World Cup. We are sorely lacking in calm, level-headed, high and low speed players, who can build an innings around themselves and hold the team together from a possible batting collapse. I don't trust someone like Khawaja or Finch or Maxwell to be able to steady the ship. He's our Kohli, and honestly i don't think we'd be having this discussion if he hadn't just finished a ban