T20 World Cup 2022: Why has Steve Smith not given up on a World Cup spot?

Tim David and Cameron Green were selected ahead of Smith for Wednesday's three-wicket victory over the West Indies. Smith, a middle-order anchor in the Australian men's team's historic T20 triumph last year, has seen his star fall in the shorter format.

The expected return of Marcus Stoinis to the side, most likely for Sunday's opening T20I against England in Perth, could tighten the competition for Australia's tournament opener in a little more than a fortnight.

One of the primary reasons Smith was left out of Australia's top six on Wednesday was the team's emphasis on having bowling options.

Mitchell Marsh has already left for Perth and will miss Friday's second T20I match against the West Indies at the Gabba, which may allow Smith to make a comeback in a top-order position.

Smith is no longer known as 'Mr Fix-It' on the T20 side. And he is well aware that he presents a fundamentally different selection proposition than middle-order bludgeoners Stoinis, Maxwell, and David.

"Just having that more offensive mindset as opposed to, when I was playing that type of (Mr Fix-It) role, I was definitely in a more defensive frame of mind and maybe trying to bat through without taking the game on as much," Smith explained.

"But just having the freedom to go out and play the way I want to play, and the situation in front of me, I think that's the way I play best."