Smith fails to find place in Mitchell Marsh-led Australia T20 WC squad
Besides Smith, the other notable omissions from the T20 World Cup squad are youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk, experienced seamer Jason Behrendorff and all-rounder Matt Short.
Smith, returning to the fold after the ball tampering incident kept him and David Warner away from the game for one year, was in good nick as he spared no bowler at the Whitgift School in London’s south.
Australia head coach Justin Langer on Sunday said watching Steve Smith during the team’s first practice session here was like “watching Sachin bat.”
Smith, returning to the fold after the ball tampering incident kept him and David Warner away from the game for one year, was in good nick as he spared no bowler at the Whitgift School in London’s south.
According to www.cricket.com.au, Smith played a shot off Nathan Coulter-Nile that Langer said “was like watching Sachin (Tendulkar) bat”.
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“(I) watched Steve Smith batting against New Zealand in those three practice games, he’s literally a master of the game, so it’s nice to have him back,” Langer was quoted as saying by www.cricket.com.au.
“It’s been hilarious for me, because whether on the Anzac Cove or in the lunchroom or we’re on the bus playing cards, he’s just shadow batting the whole time.
“He loves batting – he’s shadow batting on the sand, he’s shadow batting in the shower – I’m not joking.
“Dave’s got that look in his eye, he’s really hungry, he’s a great player as we all know, he’s so dynamic, he brings so much energy, and that’s what we ask from our players.
“They’ve had 12 months to have a good think about a mistake they and the team made. I’m sure they’ll be better people for that.”
Langer asked for patience in terms of expecting the best from Smith and Warner as the World Cup draws nearer. Defending champions Australia take on Afghanistan in their opener on June 1.
“Steve’s in literally career-best shape … and Dave Warner is always elite fit,” said Langer. “In terms of their throwing they’re building it up.
“Where they’ve come from, from surgery, I’m really proud of them and they’re up and running.
“Are they going to throw like Andrew Symonds or Ricky Ponting? Probably not at the moment but they’re certainly working towards that.”
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