Steve Smith’s big revelation when he had to choose between Australia and England

Steve Smith is considered one of the modern greats. He began his career as a leg-spin bowler but later he cemented his position in the international circuit as a batter through sheer perseverance and excellent show of skills.

While experts and fans have been in awe of his batting prowess, he has also been a part of a few controversies. He has experienced enough up and downs in his career. But he has come out stronger after every challenge that he faced.

When it comes to skills, there is no doubt that he is one of the bests in the contemporary cricketing world. His near-perfect record in the longest format of the game speaks volumes of what a brilliant batter he is. Smith is currently at the prime of his career and has a lot to offer to the game, but he is already considered one of the greatest to have graced the game.

But as per as latest learnings Smith had a chance to play for England. Long before Smith established himself in the Australian team, at the ripe young age of 18, he had a chance to play for the Three-Lions. He was offered a lucrative three-year deal by the English County team, Surrey.

The fact that Smith holds a British passport along with his Australian passport also made him eligible to play domestic cricket in England.

The revelation was made by Steve Smith himself in his autobiography The Journey. Smith wrote he was only 18 when former English opener Alan Butcher called him and offered the lucrative three-year deal to play in England.

In Smith’s words- “I had to decide whether I wanted to press on with ambition to play for New South Wales and, ultimately, Australia or throw in my lot with English county side Surrey and pursue the possibility of playing international cricket for England.”

According to the cricketer he was offered an annual contract which was worth around 30,000 pounds for three years. He selected a contract of AUD 12,000 in comparison to that because of his love for the nation.