Smith lashes batsmen despite win
Australia skipper Steve Smith made it quite clear that his team need to do better with bat in hand after they scraped a three wicket ODI win over England in Adelaide.
The victory was set up by excellent fast bowling from Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood who bagged seven wickets between them and reduced England to 8/5.
Travis Head held the chase together for most of the way with his 96 but he departed in a flurry of wickets that saw Australia endure a nervy finish to their innings here.
Smith said of the performance: “It was nice to get over the line in the end.
“But a pretty ordinary batting display really, apart from Heady who played really well.
“The rest of us probably need to have a good, hard look at ourselves, start scoring some more runs and helping this team win some games.”
The game really was won by the Australian opening bowlers who were duly given the praise of the skipper who was shocked at how quickly it happened.
“It’s a pretty foreign feeling for me.”
A history of injury concerns certainly haven’t slowed Pat Cummins down this summer! #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/3Tf9MzXbpd
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 26, 2018
Smith said: “It all happened pretty quickly for a moment there.
“The guys started really well – Paddy and Josh – it’s an area we’ve been trying to work on, our starts haven’t been as good as they could have been.
“Today I just thought they hit really good areas, challenged the defence of the England batters and took early wickets.”
England lead the five match series 3-1 with only pride on the line when they meet again for the fifth ODI at the brand new Optus Stadium in Perth.
Of that prospect Smith said: “It’s exciting.
“The first event at the new stadium, it feels like it’s been a long time coming. The stadium looks incredible so it’s going to be a great occasion for all of us.”
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