"He Is Still Talking About...": Steve Smith's Manager On If Australia Star Will Retire

Star Australian batter Steve Smith will not be retiring from Test cricket this season, as he is still "talking about things he wants to achieve" despite a lean run in the longest format by his own mighty standards. As per Sydney Morning Herald, Smith's manager Warren Craig has offered clarification that the star batter will not follow David Warner into retirement. Warner will retire from Test cricket following the third Test against Pakistan at his home ground of Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) next year.

"I can debunk that (retirement) at this point in time. He is still talking about things he wants to achieve," said Smith's manager as quoted by Sydney Morning Herald.

Smith, who is considered one of the modern-era greats, has scored 9.320 runs in 102 Tests at an average of 58.61, with 32 centuries and 39 fifties. He also has 5,356 runs in 155 ODIs at an average of 43.54, with 12 centuries and 32 fifties.

But this year has been rough for Australia's best batter. Smith has done well in 11 Tests this year, scoring 777 runs at an average of 43.16, with three centuries and two fifties in 20 innings. Though these numbers are great, it is still not up to the mark for a batter who has made a habit out of averaging in his 50s and 60s over these years in whites.

In 16 ODIs, Smith has scored just 439 runs at an average of 31.35 and a strike rate of over 83, with three half-centuries in 15 innings and best score of 74. Though Australia won their sixth ICC Cricket World Cup title, Smith was underwhelming in the tournament, scoring 302 runs in 10 matches at an average of 33.55, with two fifties.

The goals being talked about include the ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA next year in June. Smith will be looking to fire with