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Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine has responded to Michael Clarke’s comments on Steve Smith earmarked to play as an opener in T20Is against South Africa, insisting that the selection panel led by George Bailey has given him a chance to take T20 opening batting form into international cricket. Smith will be opening the batting for Australia in the T20I series in South Africa, a role he will be taking for the first time. He had made just one appearance in the 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup and scored just one fifty in his last 23 T20I innings.

But Smith reminded people of his T20 prowess with back-to-back centuries for the Sydney Sixers in last season’s BBL, thus paving the way for him to be back in Australia’s T20I frame. His return, though, left Clarke dismayed, pointing out that Smith doesn’t even have an IPL gig.