Star Australian batsman Steve Smith went through several ups and downs in his career but all those challenges have only made him stronger.
There’s no doubt that when it comes to cricketing skills, Steve Smith is second to none. His impeccable record speaks volumes of what a class batter he is. But did you know, Smith, at the age of 18, was offered a chance to play for England.
Smith was actually offered a lucrative three-year deal by English county team Surrey.
Note: Smith was eligible to play domestic cricket in England because other than the Australian passport, Smith holds a British passport too.
“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,” Smith wrote in his autobiography, ‘The Journey’.
Smith was offered an annual contract worth around 30,000 pounds for three years. But Steve Smith turned down that massive offer without any second thought.
“It was a lot of money to potentially throw at an 18-year-old and I’d never conceived of such a large amount in my life. If it had been about money then it would have been no contest. Surrey were offering me a three-year deal worth around £30,000 per year while my first rookie contract with Cricket NSW netted me around AUD$12,000,” he added.