Former Australian Test captain Steve Smith has opened up on his cricketing future plans as he enters the twilight of his career.
An integral run-scoring machine, toying bowlers around for fun with his fidgety personality at the crease, constantly adjusting his gloves, pads, and helmet before every ball, Smith has been a staple in Australian cricket.
A career which began in 2010 has seen Smith represent Australia in 87 Tests scoring 8161 runs at an incredible average of 60.01, including 28 centuries, also featuring in 136 One-Day matches and 63 T20s.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Smith believes he has plenty of cricket left in him.
"No, I don't have a plan, but I'm 33 now," he said.
"I've been playing international cricket for 13 years. It's a long time. I'm still enjoying it, but I'm certainly closer to the end than the start, that's for sure."
Smith is already in elite company among Australia's greatest-ever batsmen, currently fifth for test centuries behind the legendary Sir Donald Bradman (29), Matthew Hayden (30), Steve Waugh (32) and Ricky Ponting (41).
Currently, he sits sixth among Australia's leading test-run scorers behind Matthew Hayden (8625), Michael Clarke (8643), Steve Waugh (10,927), Allan Border (11,174) and Ricky Ponting (13,378).
If Smith achieves this illustrious feat, he will become the fourth Australian to score 10,000 test runs and the 15th player in the game's history.
Smith has achieved every accolade an Australian cricketer dreams of twice winning the ICC player of the year, ICC Men's Test player of the decade (2011-2020), ICC Test Team of the Year (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019), Allan Border Medal (2015, 2018, 2021), and was captain of a winning Ashes side.
In his prominent run-scoring years from 2014 to 2017 Smith, piled on over 1000 calendar runs with averages well over 70, equivalent to the mastery of Sir Donald Bradman.
Although there is less pressure now on the former Skipper to consistently score runs, with even contributions from Marnus Labuschagne, veterans David Warner and Usman Khawaja, Travis Head and Cameron Green.
Smith says it's too difficult to point out how much pressure it would've been to consistently pile on the runs.
"Maybe. It's hard to get a gauge on it," he added.
"I liked the added pressure and responsibility. I probably thrived under it.
"I'm not sure whether down towards the back end of my career whether that has taken a toll. I think there's probably a bit less pressure than there potentailly used to be.
"There's guys making valuable contirbutions all around with the bat.
"You'd expect a couple of us to come off each innings almost in a way, which is really good for the team. We've got a good sqaud of batters together, and guys are playing some good cricket."
Smith again will be a key part of Australia's cricketing test summer against the West Indies and South Africa.
The first test against the West Indies starts on Wednesday, November 30 at Optus Stadium in Perth.
