The photos that sent shockwaves through Australian cricketing side: Steve Smith suffers a shock setback in training just before the Ashes’ first Test
- Steve Smith was hit in the hand in training
- Absent from the rest of the session as a precaution
- In 2019 Ashes, Smith scored 774 carries, average of 110.57
Steve Smith sent shockwaves through the Aussie camp after picking up an injury in training ahead of the inaugural Ashes Test.
The 34-year-old was hit on the finger as he kicked into the net, the blow leaving him in some pain and needing treatment.
Smith is once again looming as the key wicket for the hosts when the Ashes series begins at Edgbaston on Friday.
In 2019, Smith put England bowlers to the sword with a century in each innings in the first Test in Birmingham and went on to score 774 runs at an average of 110.57 in the series, his first after his tampering ban from year ball. .
With the England attack trying to squeeze him out in various ways, Smith’s last run of the streak was the only occasion he didn’t reach at least 80.
Australian batsman Steve Smith has his finger checked after he was knocked during a net session on Wednesday
The kick left the superstar hitter wincing in pain – and will have raised the hopes of England fans
Speedy England veteran James Anderson said they wouldn’t plan too much for Smith this time around, but captain Ben Stokes suggested he would go through his full range of tricks against him.
Smith said he felt ready for anything.
“I think we’ve seen over the last few months that they’re doing some great things and they’re going to have to try different things at times,” he said.
“One of my big strengths is being able to adapt on the fly and understand what they’re trying to do and sort of solve the problem in the middle. I’m just going to focus on my game and try to counter everything they do to me, but we expect different things, that’s for sure.
“I won’t really change too much, it’s about understanding the situations, knowing when I can press a little bit more and put a little more pressure and knowing when I have to absorb the pressure and contain it a bit. It’s something I’ve been doing for 10 years and I don’t see the need to change it.
Smith is also enjoying the confidence that comes from having been successful in England and having returned to form recently, averaging 62.46 in Tests since the Sri Lanka tour.
Smith, 34, is once again looming as the hosts’ key wicket when the Ashes’ first Test starts at Edgbaston on Friday
In 2019, Smith put England bowlers to the sword with a century in each innings in the first Test in Birmingham and went on to score 774 runs at an average of 110.57 in the series.
He also got an early glimpse of local conditions and England’s speedy Ollie Robinson during a short stint in County cricket with Sussex, which left Smith positive about what’s to come through five Tests.
His continuous improvement mindset is also set to ensure he could be in for another great series.
‘I hope I am better. I strive every day to be better,” Smith said.
“It was obviously a good series for me last time here and I’d love to replicate something similar and help us lift the urn at the end, but we’ll wait and see.”
“My Ashes streak before this at home was also reasonable. I had a few good ones, it would be nice to repeat that.
