Steve Smith Expresses Relaxation Ahead of Captaincy Return for Sri Lanka Tour
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New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) Veteran batter Steve Smith stated that he is feeling more relaxed regarding the opportunity to captain Australia for two Tests in Galle while regular skipper Pat Cummins is absent.
Smith has been appointed as the Test captain for the two-match series in Sri Lanka since Cummins will not be joining the team due to the imminent birth of his second child and a recently disclosed ankle injury.
"Any opportunity I have to step in when Pat is unavailable is enjoyable. I continue to approach it in my own style. It’s been exciting to have a few chances now and then," Smith shared with the Sydney Morning Herald before his BBL match for the Sydney Sixers.
“It’s going to be an exciting tour. I believe I have a solid grasp of spin and the subcontinent, especially regarding angles and the required strategies. Additionally, the pace of play that must be maintained at different times is crucial.
"I’m feeling a bit more relaxed at this point. I’m quite calm and just taking it easy. I intend to enjoy the experience," he added.
Smith previously faced a two-year leadership ban due to his involvement in the Sandpapergate incident in 2018. The 35-year-old has captained his country four times since the ban was lifted. He led Australia against England in Adelaide (2021), against the West Indies in Perth (2022), and took the captaincy in a couple of Tests in India in 2023.
Smith had also captained Australia on their tour of Sri Lanka in 2016, which resulted in a disappointing 3-0 series loss.
Discussing the spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka, Smith remarked, "They can indeed present challenging conditions. They perform quite well there, especially if the pitches are significantly skewed. It’s all about players formulating strategies as batters… utilizing different techniques that enable them to score and endure. Playing spin here in Australia is a whole different ballgame. Whatever strategy you adopt, stick to it from the very first ball and trust it."
Smith is also aiming for a significant milestone by joining the 10,000 run club, as he fell just one run short of becoming the 15th player to reach this landmark during the Sydney Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"One run… it was a bit painful at the time," Smith reflected. "It would have been nice to have achieved that in front of all my friends and family at my home ground, but I hope to accomplish it right away in Galle. I think I overthought it during the game. It’s a remarkable milestone to achieve," he concluded.
