AUS vs ENG: "They Spent Double..." Steve Smith Reveals How Their Slow Batting Can Favour Them To Win Oval Test

Australia batter Steve Smith talked about their batting approach in the first innings of the ongoing fifth Test of the Ashes 2023 at the Oval. He said that their slow might help them to win the game as England bowlers spend double the time on their legs and will be tired in the second innings.

The ongoing last match of the Ashes 2023 is evenly poised at the moment. But Australia were criticised for their batting approach, in what were difficult conditions to bat on. England after being asked to bat first posted 283 runs in just inside 55 overs as they continued their Bazball approach.

Also Read: 42 Runs In 26 Overs: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne Create Unwanted Record With ‘Boreball’ Approach

On the other hand, Australia too posted a similar kind of score but they batted very slowly and the scoreboard was hardly ticking. They lost wickets at regular intervals as well but thanks to Steve Smith, who bailed them out of trouble with another magnificent knock in a difficult situation.

Steve Smith scored 71 runs off 123 balls and made sure that his side get close to England’s first-innings total. After his wicket skipper Pat Cummins (36) and Todd Murphy (34) struck some lusty blows in the end and it was their staggering partnership that saw Australia taking a first-innings lead of 12 runs. But what caught the attention of many was they took 103 overs to get 295 runs.

Steve Smith said that it was a positive for them they kept England players for 100 overs on the field which might come in their favour during the fag end of the game.

Speaking to SEN Test Cricket, he said: “I think when you look at the game where it’s at now, it is a positive for us that they only put 50 overs into our fellas and (we made them dig in for) 100 or so. They spent double the time on their legs and bowled a few more overs. Hopefully, that’ll hold us in good stead for the back end of the game but time will tell.”

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AUS vs ENG: I felt like I was playing nicely today – Steve Smith on his innings

Steve Smith further talked about his innings and said that he was happy with himself as he was batting nicely as compared to the last few games, where he felt like moving too far away. He also remarked that he wanted other batters to stick around him as he found himself locked on the pitch.

He explained: “I felt like I was playing nicely today. I was a little bit unhappy with a couple of my movements last week, I felt like I was moving too far… today I felt really balanced, I was in a good place and I thought I was leaving the ball nicely.

“It would have been nice to have a few batters stick around with me, I felt like I was kind of locked in for a bit there. It wasn’t to be. I might have hit the trigger too early, but that’s the game.”

Australia have already retained the Ashes but the ongoing game is a great opportunity for them to win their first Test series in England. And for that to happen, Steve Smith will have to play a vital role in the second innings.

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