Steve Smith aims for Ashes win in England ‘bucket list’ | cricket news
Howe (United Kingdom): Great Australia steve smith says winning the Test series in England would be a “bucket list” achievement as it prepares for its finals potentially overseas Ashes Series with a stint at the county club Sussex,
Star batsman turns down chance to play three in lucrative Twenty20 Indian Premier League county championship Matches for the south coast side, away from Thursday’s clash with the Second Division Worcestershire,
Australia will link up with Australia for the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval in early June before the tourists begin their quest for a first Ashes series win in England since 2001.
When asked what it meant to him to win an Ashes series in England, Smith said: “I think that would be a huge thing to tick off the bucket list.”
“We haven’t been able to do that, but we came close last time and didn’t cross the line,” he said.
In that series, Smith began with a double century in the First Test at Edgbaston after returning from a year-long ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal.
“This will be my fourth visit (to England),” he said at his Hove headquarters in Sussex on Tuesday. “Could this be my last?
“Potentially. I mean, I turn 34 in less than a month. I’m not sure I’ll be back. We’ll see.”
Taking part in the Championship will be a new experience for Smith, who has an excellent Test record in England, averaging nearly 60 in 16 matches.
“It’s something I’ve never done and always wanted to do, so the stars kind of aligned,” he said. “I am excited.”
One of Smith’s new teammates at Sussex will be England seamer Ollie Robinson, who in March predicted Ben Stokes’ team would give Australia a “good hiding” in the Ashes in 2021/22 after their 4-0 loss.
“Oli really bowled to me yesterday (Monday),” Smith said. “I dropped one ball, the third ball, and he dropped me (bowled him), so it wasn’t ideal.
“But I was really impressed with him when he got out in Australia. I thought he had some really good skills. He’s quite tall, he hit some good areas and it looks like he’s gotten better since Is.”
The England Test team has undergone a transformation since captain Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum took over last year, winning 10 out of 12 matches in impressive fashion.
But doubts remain whether such a strategy will work when their batsmen face Australia’s attack including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.
Smith said, “The aggressive brand he has played has been brilliant to watch from afar.” “But coming up against it, hopefully it doesn’t stop.”
Sussex’s decision to sign the prolific batsman has been criticized as aiding one of England’s main opponents in a way that is unlikely to be reciprocated in Australia.
But the player himself said that England batsman Joe Root would be ineligible to play for New South Wales ahead of the Ashes campaign in Australia.
Sussex coach Paul Farbrace said Smith’s “winning mentality”, run-scoring and cricketing knowledge would benefit the young team.
“This morning our fast bowlers Puj (India’s Cheteshwar Pujara) running into the bowling at one net and Steve at the other net – that’s already a great lesson,” he added.
Former England assistant coach Farbrace said: “The game is just about opinion … The fact that people are talking about Championship cricket is good for the game.
“I have good friends who think we are helping Australia win the Ashes. We are not at all. I think it is really good for English cricket.”
Smith said: “Hopefully I can do some really cool things over the next few weeks and people will be able to see me and how I go about it. Hopefully, that’s enough for them. But if anyone wants to talk If so, I am here too.” Talk about any cricket.”
Star batsman turns down chance to play three in lucrative Twenty20 Indian Premier League county championship Matches for the south coast side, away from Thursday’s clash with the Second Division Worcestershire,
Australia will link up with Australia for the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval in early June before the tourists begin their quest for a first Ashes series win in England since 2001.
When asked what it meant to him to win an Ashes series in England, Smith said: “I think that would be a huge thing to tick off the bucket list.”
“We haven’t been able to do that, but we came close last time and didn’t cross the line,” he said.
In that series, Smith began with a double century in the First Test at Edgbaston after returning from a year-long ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal.
“This will be my fourth visit (to England),” he said at his Hove headquarters in Sussex on Tuesday. “Could this be my last?
“Potentially. I mean, I turn 34 in less than a month. I’m not sure I’ll be back. We’ll see.”
Taking part in the Championship will be a new experience for Smith, who has an excellent Test record in England, averaging nearly 60 in 16 matches.
“It’s something I’ve never done and always wanted to do, so the stars kind of aligned,” he said. “I am excited.”
One of Smith’s new teammates at Sussex will be England seamer Ollie Robinson, who in March predicted Ben Stokes’ team would give Australia a “good hiding” in the Ashes in 2021/22 after their 4-0 loss.
“Oli really bowled to me yesterday (Monday),” Smith said. “I dropped one ball, the third ball, and he dropped me (bowled him), so it wasn’t ideal.
“But I was really impressed with him when he got out in Australia. I thought he had some really good skills. He’s quite tall, he hit some good areas and it looks like he’s gotten better since Is.”
The England Test team has undergone a transformation since captain Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum took over last year, winning 10 out of 12 matches in impressive fashion.
But doubts remain whether such a strategy will work when their batsmen face Australia’s attack including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.
Smith said, “The aggressive brand he has played has been brilliant to watch from afar.” “But coming up against it, hopefully it doesn’t stop.”
Sussex’s decision to sign the prolific batsman has been criticized as aiding one of England’s main opponents in a way that is unlikely to be reciprocated in Australia.
But the player himself said that England batsman Joe Root would be ineligible to play for New South Wales ahead of the Ashes campaign in Australia.
Sussex coach Paul Farbrace said Smith’s “winning mentality”, run-scoring and cricketing knowledge would benefit the young team.
“This morning our fast bowlers Puj (India’s Cheteshwar Pujara) running into the bowling at one net and Steve at the other net – that’s already a great lesson,” he added.
Former England assistant coach Farbrace said: “The game is just about opinion … The fact that people are talking about Championship cricket is good for the game.
“I have good friends who think we are helping Australia win the Ashes. We are not at all. I think it is really good for English cricket.”
Smith said: “Hopefully I can do some really cool things over the next few weeks and people will be able to see me and how I go about it. Hopefully, that’s enough for them. But if anyone wants to talk If so, I am here too.” Talk about any cricket.”
