Steve Smith hungry for runs after ‘below standard’ form; won’t join Warner in retirement

Steve Smith might not have the best of cricketing years in 2023 but he certainly isn’t looking to slow down, with PAK vs AUS series in his rare view mirror. Barring a hundred each at the World Test Championship against India at Lord’s and against England, he has still fallen short of the standards Smith sets for himself. Ahead of the series against Pakistan, the former Australia skipper spoke about his form, technique, a break he deserves and more.

Weary Smith ready for action despite tiring year

Steve Smith acknowledged the fact that he needed a break after the World Cup, perhaps why he started playing golf. However, after a week of rest, he feels that the team and himself are ready for red-ball action. It has been a long year for Smith, who has not just been a part of the Australian side but also had a stint with Sussex and played in the BBL. He was a part of the Aussie side which lifted their historic 6th World Cup title.

“It’s been a busy, busy year. I certainly needed a little break after the World Cup,” Smith told reporters at Perth Stadium on Tuesday, as per cricket.com.au.

“It was good to have a week at home, and relax and refresh the mind and body as much as possible to get ready for this series.

“But now I feel like I’m in a good place. I think the boys feel like they’re in a good place and are keen to get out and play some red-ball cricket again.

“It can be challenging with quite a busy schedule, but any sort of moment you can get to have a few days or a week just to get away from the game and get your mental side back to a position where you can go out and perform internationally, it’s important.

Smith, however, felt that he has performed at a ‘high standard for a long period of time’, noting that he was probably below his standards in the recent past. He further addressed the threat of Shaheen Afridi and co and revealed that he had been making amends to his technique every week in the last 10 years.

‘Below my standards’: Steve Smith

“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.”

Smith not joining Warner in Test retirement

The former Australian skipper categorically stated that he had no plans to retire when asked about David Warner. He said that he would take it day by day and enjoy his time playing and was not in hurry to make any decisions.

“I just take it day by day and enjoy my time playing,” Smith said when asked if he had considered his retirement plans in the wake of David Warner’s desire to finish after next month’s Sydney Test.

“While I’m enjoying it, I’ll keep playing. I’m not in any hurry to make any decisions. I’m pretty relaxed and looking forward to the summer.”

PAK vs AUS Tests squads

Australia squad: (first Test only) Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner

Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi