Australia’s Steve Smith plays a shot during the first ODI cricket match between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval on November 17, 2022, in Adelaide. | Photo Credit: AFP
Star Australian batter Steve Smith is hoping for a big summer, saying he is in his best form with the bat for six years after a 12-month process to fine-tune his technique.
Smith scored an unbeaten 80 off 77 balls to help Australia cruise to a six-wicket win over world champions England in the first ODI here on Thursday.
It was a “close to perfection” innings for the former captain.
“(It’s) probably the best I’ve felt in almost six years,” Smith told reporters Friday.
“I was just in really nice positions and I felt really good, I honestly haven’t felt that in six years or more.
“It’s good to score a few runs at that time and we’re always looking for perfection, and for me yesterday was as close to perfection as I’m going to get,” he added.
The 33-year-old revealed he has been working for the past year to get his hands and feet in sync in a bid to rediscover his best stance and technique.
“I’ve been working on a few things, it’s almost been a six-month or 12-month process. The start of last summer, I tried to get my hands back to where they were in 2015. I feel that I remain somewhat side-on now and I put my feet and hands together.” Smith featured in one game for Australia in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. He scored four runs in the match against Afghanistan.
However in the ODI against England, Smith looked in impressive touch and was caught on camera saying “I’m back, baby” to batting partner David Warner during the innings.
“(Thursday) was probably the first time I’ve actually extended time up the middle with that changeup. It’s hard to base something on one inning but things seemed to click for me the way they did. at the WACA (in a Test against England) in 2013.
“Hopefully this is the start of a big summer,” Smith added.
Smith averaged 60 from 87 Tests with 28 centuries and 36 fifties.
After the series against England, Australia will host the West Indies and South Africa.
