Published 14:25 IST, November 8th 2019
Steve Smith has impeccable net session ahead of Perth T20I vs Pakistan
Steve Smith has a superb net session ahead of the Perth T20I vs Pakistan. Smith guided Australia to victory in the second T20I with a brilliant 80 off 51 balls.
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Australian star batsman Steve Smith was seen sweating it out in the nets ahead of the third T20I against Pakistan which is going to be played on Friday.
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Smith was seen displaying a range of shots which include cutting, flicking, slogging and pulling in a vivacious net session at the new Perth Stadium ahead of Friday night's third T20I. He was also seen slogging some as he hit all the balls with his bat's sweet spot.
Here is a video of Smith sweating out in the nets
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Steve Smith has been in fine form as he guided the Aussies to a 7-wicket win with a gem of an innings. It was an innings every bit as modern as T20 cricket demands, but the kind of shots that Smith displayed in his 51 ball 80 were considered by many as exceptional. Eleven fours and one six, exactly a half-century of them, came in boundaries.
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The first T20I was abandoned due to rain as Pakistan narrowly escaped. The second T20I was won comprehensively by the hosts as they took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
The 30-year-old is the number 1 batsman in the ICC Test batting rankings but in the shortest format of the game, he is yet to replicate that form. Smith averages a paltry 27.48 in 35 matches. However, these numbers do not do justice to Smith's calibre as he was a leg-spinner before and batted lower down the order.
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"If you look at my batting record in T20 internationals, it's not crash hot," the International Cricket Council (ICC) quoted Smith as saying. However, Smith did not doubt his ability as he was confident over his 'placement and timing'.
"I guess you have to bear in mind ... [early in my career] I was batting No.8 or 9, coming in and slogging, facing half a dozen balls tops. It's never easy, so it's going to affect your record at some point," Smith said.
"I don't doubt my ability. I know the tempos of the game. I've played a lot of [T20] cricket now. I may not be as strong as some of the other guys, but I use placement and timing," he added.
Australia will face Pakistan in the third T20I on November 8.
13:20 IST, November 8th 2019