Steve Smith's telling admission as image highlights huge change in Aussie mindset
The mercurial batter is ready for a big summer after a lean patch of runs in 2023.
Steve Smith has been filmed in a gruelling training session having admitted he is ready for a return of form after taking time off after Australia's World Cup triumph. Smith returned home from India and took time off from the game to get some rest in before Australia's summer of cricket.
Smith took part in the arduous 2-1 loss to India in the Test series earlier this year in February, before a World Test Championship triumph against the same opponent. This followed Smith helping Australia retain the Ashes in the UK, before a World Cup triumph again in India.
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The cricket season has been long for the all-format Aussie players and Smith admitted rest was needed, before he played one game for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League. However, he is also keen to get back into scoring touch against Pakistan.
Smith scored a century in the World Test Championship final and against England in the fiery and bitter Test at Lord's. Other than the two centuries, runs have been harder to come by in recent times. Smith averaged 29.00 across the four Tests against India and 37.30 in the Ashes. His average for 2023 is 43, which is far from his staggering career average of 58.61.
Australian vice-captain Steve Smith in the middle at the @WACA_Cricket ground as the renovation of the iconic oval continues behind him. It is three days until the opening Test of the summer against Pakistan at Optus Stadium. pic.twitter.com/Usz8nPQBEo
— Courtney Walsh (@walshcee) December 11, 2023
Smith's warning comes as footage showed him alone out in the middle having a practice session in 32C heat on Tuesday. The non-compulsory session was not attended by anyone other than Smith. And the signs don't bode well for his opponents as Smith has signalled he is ready to find his feet again and put on a show against
"I don't have to reinvent the wheel," he said. "I've performed at a high standard for a long period of time. You're right – I was probably below my standards of what I want. For me, it's about not overthinking it, not overplaying too much, not changing too much.
"Just going out and trusting what I do and doing it for longer periods of time, hopefully to get the big runs and hopefully help our team have success."
Aussie players rested ahead of Test series
Usman Khawaja recently talked about the relaxed nature of the Australian team under new coach Andrew McDonald, which has allowed the players downtime in recent weeks. And Smith said he used his time to take his mind off the game and reset before another long summer.
Having played plenty of golf upon his return to Australia, the 34-year-old was asked about his future in the game with fellow teammate David Warner set to retire after the Sydney Test. Smith admitted he wasn't looking at when he would call time and was just taking each series one at a time.
“I just take it day by day and enjoy my time playing,” Smith said. “And while I’m enjoying it I’ll keep playing. I’m not in any hurry to make any decisions or anything. I’m pretty relaxed and looking forward to the summer.”
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