At 37, Steve Smith Is Still Carrying a Young Australian Side

At 37, Steve Smith is still doing the heavy lifting for an Australian side that has leaned increasingly on youth in recent seasons. That contrast -- a veteran carrying a team full of newcomers -- says as much about the current squad's balance as it does about Smith's own longevity.

It's also a reminder of why teams benefit from keeping experienced players around. There is no real substitute for a player who has been through high-pressure situations before and knows how to navigate them when a young side needs steadying.