Smith: England one of the best teams in the world
Australia captain Steve Smith admits England are seen as one of the best teams in the world in ODI cricket and have maybe set the bar on how to go about batting in the 50-over format.
England beat the Aussies by five wickets in the first ODI at the MCG on Friday as the visitors chased down a target of 305 thanks to a record-breaking innings of 180 off 151 balls by opener Jason Roy.
ALSO READ: Roy on his record-breaking knock: ‘Incredibly special’
The tourists lost two quick wickets in the pursuit of the target but never went into their shell as Roy kept attacking while Joe Root was at the end just working away as the two batsmen shared in a match-winning stand of 223.
Smith said after the game: “England’s got to be up there as one of the best teams in the world in one-day cricket at the moment.
“It just looks like the way they play is for everyone to go really hard and Joe Root is sort of the rock in the middle. He just plays good cricket and guys bat around him.
“That works for them and it’s something that we might have to think about as well. Having guys that are going really hard and having someone, it might be me, who just bats normally and then you see how you go.
“I guess when you do that, perhaps you’re going to have days where you get bowled out for not many. But you back your players to come off maybe more often than not and get those big totals. That’s what the English players are doing at the moment.
“They’re playing with such freedom and have pretty good game plans.”
Australia will look to get back into the five-match series on Friday when the second game takes place in Brisbane.
Latest
-
NewsJames Anderson reveals nerves on Test return
The England seamer added to his 600 wickets as Sri Lanka finished day one on 229 for four in Galle.
-
NewsAlex Hales hits blistering Big Bash century
Hales has been in international exile since a second recreational drug test failure on the eve of England’s triumphant World Cup campaign.
-
NewsAngelo Mathews century repels England after James Anderson’s three-wicket burst
The 38-year-old finished with exemplary figures of three for 24 on a surface offering precious little encouragement.
-
NewsShubman Gill learned backfoot game with ‘1500 short balls every day’
Shubman Gill impressed with his technique against short-pitch bowling, and his father has said he honed those skills during practice.
-
NewsSri Lanka steady ship after James Anderson takes three wickets in Galle
The home side reached 155 for three at tea, with England’s record wicket-taker responsible for all three dismissals.
-
NewsCSA confident Australia tour will go ahead
CSA is confident the scheduled Australia tour to the country will take place despite the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in South Africa
-
NewsJames Anderson at the double on day one in Galle
Sri Lanka may have feared a repeat of their dismal 135 all out from last week.
-
NewsBen Stokes and Jofra Archer return to spearhead England’s tour of India
Jos Buttler will return home after the first Test as England seek to keep players fresh, while Ollie Pope will return when fit.
-
NewsWorld Test Championship: Which countries are in the running for Lord’s final
The ICC World Test Championship final is set to be held at Lord’s in June, completing a two-year cycle of the inaugural tournament.
-
NewsKlaasen named skipper of Proteas T20 squad for Pakistan series
South Africa named a much-changed squad for the T20I series that follows the two Tests in Pakistan.