Mitchell Johnson accuses Steve Smith pf only playing T20 cricket for the money – as star batter drops bombshell about the World Cup

Former fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has called up Steve Smith, suggesting the cricket legend is only continuing his T20 career to line his pockets.

Australia suffered three rain delays on Sunday on their way to a clean win in their T20I series against New Zealand, where they registered a 27-run win in Auckland.

However, former skipper Smith once again failed to impress when he attempted to make the squad for the T20 World Cup in June.

T20 cricket is the only form of the game that the 34-year-old ace has not dominated and many have said he should give it away to focus on Tests and one-dayers.

Johnson has suggested that Smith will continue to push himself financially in the future.

Steve Smith has failed to impress in T20 cricket after poor form recently put his place at the upcoming World Cup in jeopardy

“I wonder if international T20 cricket is something he really wants to play,” Johnson wrote in a column for The Nocturnal.

‘Of course he will most likely be playing in a few different competitions around the world once his Test career is over and so there may be a dangling carrot in him wanting to perform at international level and at a World Cup to increase his chances of success. playing in leagues where he can earn big paychecks.”

Johnson then added that the only spot available for Smith would be as an opener.

“That gives him time to get in there and put his eye in there, and once that happens he can hit it all over the park,” he said.

“And with Australia’s explosive batting attack, that could suit Smith well. “But Australia needs to see him score and do that work consistently before he can qualify for the World Cup.”

Johnson previously made headlines when he launched a stunning attack on recently retired Test opener David Warner, saying he did not deserve a “hero send-off” from the game following his involvement in the Sandpapergate cheating scandal.

Meanwhile, Smith has all but admitted he will miss the T20 World Cup after his poor performance in New Zealand, saying he is ‘not too worried’ about going to the tournament in June.

“To be honest, I’ve got some pretty balls,” Smith said.

On Friday he paddled at a rising ball well outside off-stump, whiffing it back, and on Sunday he was trapped in front by Lockie Ferguson, possibly the bowler of the series.

Smith says he is ‘not too concerned’ about going to the World Cup tournament in June

The Australian great has absolutely dominated the Test and ODI formats for the past 15 years

“(Adam) Milne got one to run away in the second game, which was tough,” Smith said.

“Lockie, when the sun went down it was quite difficult to pick up and he gave me a nice inswinger.

“Look, it wasn’t ideal, but it is what it is and what it will be will happen from here.”

Smith, a three-time World Cup winner including the 2021 edition of the T20, said he did not think there was an opening for him in the T20 squad.

“I think they’re pretty high up there, to be honest, with (Travis) Head, Warner and (Mitch) Marsh in the top three,” he said.

‘I don’t know exactly what the selectors want to do. At least I’m not that busy with it. When I’m there, I’m there. If it’s not me, then it’s not me.’

Exclusion from the World Cup squad could end his international T20 career, but Smith’s relaxed attitude towards it contrasted with his enthusiasm for the upcoming Test series.

In his 107-Test career, Smith has toured New Zealand for Tests just once – and dominated.

He averaged 131 in a two-Test series in 2016, including 71 in the Basin Reserve, before backing up with 138 and an unbeaten 53 at Hagley Oval – the venue for this year’s series.