The former Australian captain and currently the biggest threat to Indian prospects in the ongoing tour of Australia, Steve Smith, feels that he tried to hit the ball too hard in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and that’s why couldn’t really get going.
Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony where he received his Man of the Match award, Smith said he seems to have more finesse in his batting now.
“I tried to whack the ball too hard in the IPL but I've started hitting it with more finesse, I should say, which is working for me. Nice to score some runs again for the team and get us to a good total. I thought the boys were outstanding in the field as well,” the 31-year-old explained.
Talking about the current game, the New South Welsh man said that he minimized errors from the last game and as a result, didn’t really give Indian bowlers any chance.
“I think, last innings, I probably could have been caught at long-on, (there was also) a close lbw. I didn't give any chances today and I just felt good from ball one. I was able to get myself in and go hard,” said the prolific run-scorer who scored a 62-ball hundred in the second game as well.
David Warner and skipper Aaron Finch had laid down yet another solid foundation and Smith, who scored 104 of 64 balls, acknowledged their efforts as well.
"I felt good from ball one. It was another great foundation set by Finch and Davey. It's just summing up conditions and what's in front of you. Against India, you need to score big totals. Fortunately, it's come off,” he added.
It was Smith's fifth hundred vs India and second consecutive one against the same opponent. No doubt, Sydney Cricket Ground is his favorite venue, but what would he do in Canberra is yet to be seen. Five of his 11 ODI centuries have come against the Men in Blue. That's a stat that will worry the Indian bowlers with a long season ahead.
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