Ashes 2017/18: Steven Smith Hails Pace Bowling Brilliance

With Australia regaining the traditional Ashes series in Perth after routing England by an innings and 41 runs on the fifth day of the third Test, skipper Steven Smith is delighted to see the fast bowlers who had completed their job after the hard-fought workout.

“We’ve worked really hard to ensure that we have these three big quicks on the park and ready for this series,” Smith was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia.

Following the comprehensive win at WACA, the hosts are leading the Magellan Ashes series by 3-0.

“That extra airspeed can make a big difference,” Smith observed.

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Owing to the pace and bounce, the fast bowlers from Australia have reaped the benefits from time-to-time in the ongoing series in which England bowlers found things tougher to work on.

“Here in Australia it certainly makes a difference on the flatter tracks where there isn’t the much sideways movement,” Smith maintained.

The sheer pace has further put England batting line-up under pressure which saw the fast bowling trio in the form of spearhead Mitchell Starc and his new-ball partner Josh Hazlewood peppering the visitors with short-pitch stuff.

Smith was adjudged Man of the Match for his splendid batting, as he further credits the medical management for keeping the bowlers on their feet.

“A lot of praise has got to go to the medical staff for ensuring that those guys are ready to go,” Smith asserted.

Interestingly, the speedster Starc finished the three Tests with 19 wickets at an average of 21.05, as the fourth Test is scheduled on the Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

However, Hazlewood claimed 15 wickets following the bowling average of 23.20, as Pat Cummins had also enjoyed the willow show.

While playing his first Test series at home after returning from the injury, Cummins went on to claim 11 scalps which saw his bowling average of 30.09 in six innings of the ongoing Ashes 2017-18 series.

It’s pertinent to mention Starc made his return to the international fold while representing in the JLT Sheffield Shield fixtures for New South Wales, as the Hazlewood was further injured during Bangladesh tour.

Smith remarked they were keen to see their bowlers fit and raring to go while adding it has been excellent on their part for maintaining their body well.

“A couple of them skipped the one-day series in India, we knew what was coming up and we wanted those big three on the park to do what they’ve done the last three Test matches,” Smith concluded.

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Smith remarked it was fascinating to register the traditional series win while leading in his maiden stint of the Ashes.

In spite of having the senior bowlers in the line-up, England failed to impress expect a few individuals’ performances till date since the first Test kicked off on November 23rd at Gabba in Brisbane.

While outshining the English bowlers, the hosts’ pace battery shared 45 wickets between them in three Tests which subsequently stands as a major difference when it comes to the ability to penetrate the batting line-up.