Steve Smith wants to go to the upcoming T20 World Cup, and Greg Shipperd has become the latest voice to put pressure on Australia's selectors to choose the in-form veteran.
Smith, fresh from his key role in Australia's 4-1 Ashes triumph, played a series of stunning innings to help lift the Sydney Sixers into Sunday's BBL final.
Although the Sixers were humbled by six wickets at the hands of Perth in the decider in front of 55,018 fans at Optus Stadium, it was through no fault of Smith.
The 36-year-old was his side's most dangerous batter as he moved to 24 off 12 balls, before being given out LBW on review in the sixth over at the hands of Aaron Hardie.
Smith hit the Sixers' only six of the innings, with the visitors skittled for 132 after failing to recover from the loss of their star opener.
All up, Smith averaged 59.8 at a strike rate of 168 across six innings this season.
It's been almost two years since Smith played the last of his 67 T20 internationals, and he wasn't picked in Australia's provisional 15-man World Cup squad.
But calls are growing louder for Smith to be included following his stunning run of form.
Smith has already publicly voiced his desire to be selected in the T20 side when the format makes its Olympic debut in 2028.
Privately, it's understood Smith is also keen to earn a late call-up for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, starting on February 7.
"I'm sure he said that. I don't know whether he said that to you, but I'm sure he would like the opportunity," Sixers coach Shipperd said of Smith's World Cup desires.
"He's talked about the Olympics. That indicates to me that he'd still love to play the game and in World Cups, big tournaments."
Smith looked in hot form during every innings he played this BBL season, reeling off scores of 19no, 100, 54, 37, 65 and 24.
"He is the best batter in the competition at the moment," Shipperd said.
"If you do a deep dive into the stats of some of the players in there (the World Cup squad) at the moment, there's a great case for Smith to be parachuted in.
"He just understands batting, and he's a great predictor, a great technician.
"He's got all the strokes - he's a 360 player, and he's got experience and confidence.
"So all the things you need to be one of the world's best batters."
