Last Update on: September 21st, 2023 at 10:34 am
Ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against India, Australia star Steve Smith has given a promising update on his fitness. The right-handed batsman recently missed the tour of South Africa where Australia played three T20Is and five ODIs.
Steve Smith was named in both the white-ball squads but eventually missed both assignments due to an injury in his left wrist. He had suffered the injury during the second Ashes Test against England at Lord’s and it hampered his performance through the rest of the series. He scored a century at the Lord’s but failed to reach the triple-digit mark in any of the following three Tests.
There were fears that Steve Smith might not be at his best for the World Cup but the star batsman has given a very positive update ahead of the marquee event. Speaking ahead of the first ODI against India, the right-handed batsman said he feels “a million bucks” after batting for nearly two hours in a net session in Mohali.
“I faced Patty (Cummins) for a bit, felt good against him, faced quite a bit of spin and lots on the ‘wanger’, so it’s a good start,” Steve Smith said after his net session.
“I did lots of running, I was still able to do that when I had the brace on,” he told cricket.com. “I got the brace off, not much changed, had a little injection and feel a million bucks now. A few days after my needle I started to feel good. I was just wary with some catching stuff, landing, the I was taking it easy. But it feels good and I’m ready to go.”
Steve Smith on Pat Cummins:
Steve Smith also gave an update on Pat Cummins. Just like Steve Smith, Pat Cummins also missed the tour of South Africa due to a wrist injury he sustained during the Ashes. The Australia skipper is set to return to action in the forthcoming assignment against India. Talking about the fast bowler, Steve Smith said:
“He just had a little gallop, a trial run. He’s cruising into it and I’m sure he’ll be good for the first game.”
Australia ODI squad for India series: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
