Steve Smith, the star Australian batter, has revealed that he played in COVID-19’s final T20 World Cup 2022 group game against Afghanistan in Adelaide. The right-handed batter made the revelation while discussing a technique change that has allowed him to score heavily across multiple formats.
The 33-year-old has had a remarkable three months, beginning with the ODI series against England in November, when he uttered ‘I’m back baby’ during his 78-ball 80 in the first ODI.
Smith, speaking after winning his fourth Allan Border Medal, recalled being at his best against India in the summer of 2015 and said he has always tried to regain that touch. While the right-hander appeared to have made a breakthrough ahead of the T20 World Cup match against Afghanistan, COVID-19 intervened. According to The Age, he stated:
“I’ve looked at footage for so long like you wouldn’t believe, just of innings mainly in 2015. I think that was when I was batting my best in the Indian series at home and throughout that World Cup and that’s my blueprint that I always go back to, to try and figure out what I was doing there. I finally got there. I was in the nets. I think in might have been in Adelaide just before the T20 game against Afghanistan.”
“I felt like I’d found something and then I got COVID” – Steve Smith
“I felt like I’d found something and then I got COVID. I played with COVID that game and I didn’t really get a chance to get in the middle to sort of implement it. And then the next game I played was against England and that game I think, I scored 80 not out. And yeah, that was just the first time I’d put it all into practice in the middle and it just clicked for me.”
Smith said ahead of the India tour next month that he enjoys playing in the subcontinent and wants to pass on his knowledge to the next generation to ensure Australia’s success. He went on to say:
“I think some subcontinent wickets suit the style of play that I have. I really enjoy playing on those spinning tracks there, so much fun and there’s always something happening. But you know, if they’re not the spinning ones and they’re a bit flatter there, the ones where you can really cash in and you have to make big, big scores. I think that’s certainly one thing that I’ll be telling the boys when we get over there.”
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