Steve Smith believes his involvement in the Indian Premier League has been a major factor in his rise from One-Day International fringe dweller to match-winner.
Not considered a first-choice player in Australia's 50-over side until late last year, Smith established himself as a pivotal member of the top six with a string of excellent innings against South Africa and strong performances in the tri-series.
His form was recognised on Monday night when he was named Australia's ODI player of the year.
Smith said the lucrative Indian Twenty20 competition had improved his limited-overs game, teaching him when to go for the big shots and when to play more conservatively for ones and twos.
"It's a great tournament to be involved in. I have to pay a lot of credit to the IPL for where I am today, particularly in one-day cricket," Smith said.
"Playing in that tournament you learn a lot about yourself because you're playing every second day. You get faced with a lot of similar situations and if you don't quite get the team over the line one game you learn and face the same situation a couple of days later.
"I think it's a great learning experience for any young cricketer."
That, along with a $710,000 auction fee, explains why he will not skip this year's tournament despite Australia having a very busy international schedule after the World Cup with tours of the Caribbean, England and Bangladesh before home series against New Zealand and the West Indies. Smith will also play in the Champions League tournament after the Sydney Sixers qualified through the Big Bash.
Smith spent the summers of 2011-12 and 2012-13 on the outer with international selectors but made good use of the time away from the limelight with NSW to remodel his game. Despite being only 22 at the time, Smith had the maturity to find the improvement from within rather than turning to a mentor.
"When you get dropped it's a sad time, it's not a good thing. You have to look at yourself and say you need some improvement," Smith said.
"I was able to go back to Shield cricket and one-day format for NSW and get some big runs.
"For me it was about going back and making sure I get the mental side of my game right. I think that's the most important thing. I reckon our game is 90 per cent mental and to get that right and all my decision-making right that was the most important thing for me.
"I was trying to do it myself. You're your own best coach, and to work things out yourself is the best way to go."
