Former Australia skipper Steve Waugh has sent out a warning ahead of the first Ashes Test match. Waugh, who is currently working with the Australia squad as a player mentor, feels that comeback-man Steve Smith will be at his best in the upcoming series.
Waugh puts his weight behind Steve Smith
He has warned England fans and players against thinking that Smith has gone past his expiry date. Smith has returned to the national fold after a period of 12 months. He played some vital knocks in the World Cup and looked very close to being at his best.
“The thing I know about Steve Smith is he always finds a way,” Waugh told reporters at Edgbaston- the venue for the first Test match.
Smith”s work ethic is exceptional: Waugh
“If someone”s going to write him off, or say he”s not what he used to be, they do that at their peril because he”s a guy that finds a way. His training and his work ethic is exceptional, I”ve never seen a guy hit as many balls. He”ll be thoroughly prepared for the first Test match.” Waugh said while putting his weight behind Smith.
Smith, Warner return to whites after 12 months
Smith and his former deputy David Warner were suspended for 12 months post the “sandpaper-gate” scandal in Cape Town against South Africa. Opener Cameron Bancroft was handed a nine-month suspension. All the three cricketers have been included in the Australian side as they look to create history by winning the urn on English soil.
The trio is expected to cop a fair share of mocking from the crowd. Waugh said that the English crowd would like to see the hosts win the series but nothing would be over-the-top. Australia have picked a 6-man pace attack and Mitchell Starc would be expected to lead the wolves pack.