Steve Smith Excited At The Prospect Of Playing Test Cricket After A Hiatous

Former Australian captain and the No.1 ranked Test batsman in the world, Steve Smith is excited about the prospect of once again donning the whites for his national side in the upcoming four-match Test series against Virat Kohli’s India.

Smith, who has not played a Test match since the New Year Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, will once again be Australia’s spearhead with the bat as the home side look to avenge the 1-2 defeat that they suffered at the hands of India two summers ago.

Smith has an enviable record against Team India. In 10 Tests that he played against the Men in Blue, the Aussie No.4 has smashed seven tons at a ridiculous average of 84.05.

”Very excited, I love test cricket, it’s my favorite form of the game no doubt. It challenges you in so many different ways,” Steve Smith said on a Zoom call from Adelaide.

“So excited to get back out and play some long-form cricket. It’s been close to a year since our last game. Can’t wait — all the boys are really keen to get out there and play as well.” he added.

Steve Smith's record against India is other-worldly.

Of batsmen to score 1000-plus runs in Australia-India Tests, he is the only one to average over 71; Smith averages 84.05.

Smith has seven tons from 10 Tests against India.

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 10, 2020

‘I watched bits and pieces’- Steve Smith on whether he followed India’s last Test series in Australia

Steve Smith missed the last India-Australia series in 2018-19 since he was serving a 12-month suspension due to his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal.

Australian batsmen struggled to counter the hostility of the Indian pace-attack and Smith admitted that watching his side struggle from the sidelines was the toughest thing for him since he knew he could have probably made a difference, had he been out there in the middle.

”I watched bits and pieces. It was difficult sitting on the sidelines and not being able to go out there and make a difference. That was the toughest thing for me, knowing that I probably could make a difference if I was out there. So that was hard. But it’s an exciting series coming up.” Steve Smith said.

With David Warner ruled out of the first Test, Steve Smith admitted that the home side’s batting-depth will be tested. He, however, hoped that whoever replaces the southpaw, will do the job in a successful manner.

“I think our depth is obviously going to be tested with Davey out and a few potentially new players coming in, so it’s test for us against a good Indian outfit,” he said. Whoever is out there and in the team, hopefully we all do our job and have a successful summer.”

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