The Pitch Did A Bit More With The New Ball: Steve Smith

Steve Smith kickstarted Australia’s home summer with two consecutive ODI centuries as the hosts won the ODI series against India. While the final ODI did not go as planned for Australia as well as Steve Smith, it was enough for the former Australian captain to bag the man of the series award. The 31-year old hopes to repeat his magic in the upcoming T20I series too.

Steve Smith was outstanding in the first two ODIs in Sydney, smacking 62-ball centuries and capitalized perfectly on the foundations set by David Warner and Aaron Finch. Smith’s century was significant in Australia posting totals of 374 and 389 in the first two ODIs to win by 66 and 51 runs respectively. The New South Wales batsman was the significant difference between the two sides in Sydney.

In the final ODI, Smith looked a lot scratchy and got out to Shardul Thakur while attempting a leg glance. He departed for seven as the hosts were chasing 303 for a series sweep. Half-centuries from Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch brought them inches within the victory; however, they fell short by 13 runs. The two teams will compete in the three-match T20I series, starting from Friday.

Both quicks bowled really well up front from both teams: Steve Smith

Steve Smith admitted that the pitch did play tricks with the new ball and commended the fast bowlers from both the sides for bowling well. Smith added that a day off on Thursday would serve them well ahead of the gruelling T20 series, beginning in Canberra.

“The pitch did a bit more with the new ball. Both quicks bowled really well up front from both teams, so probably a little bit different to the SCG. Hopefully a day off [tomorrow] and then come over here just before the [first T20I], that would be ideal,” Smith told in the post-match presentation.

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