Former Australian skipper Steve Smith has said that he is keen to see how England's Bazball strategy will work against Australian bowlers in the upcoming Ashes. Smith showed his masterclass by smashing his 31st Test in the World Test Championship 2023 final at the Oval. He struck his hundred early on Day 2 and helped Australia put a massive 469 on the board. Smith smashed 19 fours in his fantastic innings of 121 off 268.
Australia later reduced India to 151/5 by the end of Day 2 as all the bowlers claimed one wicket each. India's batters found it tough against Australia's quick bowlers as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill departed cheaply to Pat Cummins and Scott Boland respectively. Later, Cheteshwar Pujara fell to Cameron Green while Virat Kohli was dismissed by Mitchell Starc.
Meanwhile, Smith has said that he is sceptical of whether England's aggressive tactics will prove effective against them in the Ashes.
“It's a nice place to play. I think in terms of English wickets it's probably as close to Australia as you get I suppose. I've enjoyed playing here and it was nice to score a few out here again. I mean, I think it'd be difficult on this kind of wicket that's up and down and seaming around - it's not easy to defend, let alone come out and swing. So, yeah, I think I said it initially when Bazball started that I'm intrigued to see how it goes against our bowlers. I've said that all along," Smith said during the post-match press-conference.
It's been exciting to watch England cricket team: Smith
The 34-year-old also confessed that the England cricket team turned things in Tests around last year, but it remains to be seen how they fare against them.
"They've obviously done well against some other attacks, but they haven't come up against us yet. So, we'll see. It's obviously been exciting to watch. I must say I've enjoyed watching the way they've played and the way that I guess they've turned things around in the last 12 months or so, but it's yeah we'll wait and see how it comes off against us,” Smith added further.
Following the WTC final, the Australia team will take on England in the five-match Ashes, with the first Test beginning at Edgbaston in Birmingham on June 16. The series will end with the final match at Kennington Oval in London between June 27 and 31.
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