Oz pleased to see ‘freak’ Smith find form
Australia's players were delighted to see skipper Steve Smith back in the runs after he scored a half century against Pakistan on Friday, with Glenn Maxwell calling the captain a 'freak'.
The reaction was prompted by a shot Smith played against Wahab Riaz, where the batsman moved away from the stumps, almost off the pitch, to smash a ball heading for off stump to the leg side for a boundary.
The Aussies won the match by 21 runs, with Smith 61 the key to their near-200 total, and Maxwell said a string of low scores was not going to keep Smith down for long.
Maxwell told cricket.com.au after play of the shot in question: "We were all absolutely losing it in the dressing room, it was hilarious to watch.
"But that's just the freak of Steve Smith. He's an absolute class act. The way he manipulates the ball around the field is incredible.
"We were all talking about it in the change rooms that he was going to try and hit it behind square, and where he ended up standing was a little bit bemusing to the rest of us.
"If he (Wahab) had have bowled it anywhere near the stumps he was gone. But that's just the class and the form he's in at the moment."
Another player pleased to see the captain scoring runs was all-rounder James Faulkner, who was himself instrumental to the win. He took five for 27, and said Smith's ability was never in question.
Faulkner said: "I think at the end of the day people see figures. Yeah he missed out the first couple of games but at the same time, every time he walks into the nets he hits the ball exactly the same.
"That's the same with Shane (Watson, who scored 44 not out), he missed out in the first couple games but he came off a hundred (against India) three games ago.
"So it's no surprise he (Smith) whacked it tonight. It's such a fickle game, T20.
"You can be in red-hot form and not score any, and at same time you can get on a real roll that is hard to stop if you're the opposition team."
Australia must beat India on Sunday to advance to the semi-finals.
Latest
-
EnglandRacism in cricket: ECB warned further action can be taken if problem is not dealt with
The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee had issued a report calling on the ECB to “clean up its act” on racism.
-
EnglandRay Illingworth funeral: Dickie Bird pays tribute to ‘outstanding man’
Illingworth, who won 61 caps for England, was one of the country’s most successful captains.
-
The AshesWomen’s Ashes Test: Beth Mooney set for remarkable return despite liquid diet
The Australia opener has had surgery on a broken jaw.
-
Test cricketSouth Africa: Former Essex stalwart Simon Harmer earns recall for tour to NZ
Simon Harmer returns after seven-year absence and Kolpak stint.
-
ICC RankingsICC Rankings: South Africa stars on the charge in latest update
Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen enjoyed a great series against India.
-
Test cricketWomen’s Ashes: England are ‘pumped’ ahead of only Test – Heather Knight
England go into the clash in Canberra looking to become the first England team to win a Test match Down Under this winter.
-
EnglandYorkshire could learn next week if international hosting rights will be restored
Lucrative games were stripped from the county by the ECB.
-
T20 cricketT20 Cricket: England’s death bowling must improve, admits Paul Collingwood
West Indies came within two runs of pulling off a remarkable chase in Sunday’s second T20.
-
County CricketCricket must address racism: Former England international Roland Butcher fed up
Butcher, who played three Tests and three one-day internationals for England in the early 1980s, is “not interested” in just words any more.
-
County CricketRacism in cricket: Azeem Rafiq staggered despite Middlesex chair’s apology for comments
Mike O’Farrell appeared to make generalisations at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee hearing.