Relieved skipper relishes return

IT HAS been two months since Steve Smith picked up a bat, but the Australian skipper is raring to return to cricket as the road to the Ashes begins.

Players will start a sevenday training camp in Darwin today in preparation for their two-Test series against Bangladesh later in the month.

While cricket’s protracted pay dispute bubbled away in recent months, Smith spent time away from the game concentrating on fitness and strength.

With the bitter fight resolved, Smith is relieved the focus is back on cricket.

“I haven’t picked up a bat in about two months — that’s rare for me,” Smith wrote in his column for Fox Sports. “I haven’t had a break like this in a long while, so I’m excited to get back into hitting.”

The Bangladesh tour may be the immediate goal, but the long summer’s focal point will be five home Tests against arch-enemy England.

“You can never get your Ashes preparations started too early; it’s a series that means that much to us,” Smith said.

Despite Bangladesh being ranked ninth in the world, Smith isn’t discounting them as easybeats.

“They’ve improved significantly over the past couple of years, particularly playing at home, and knocked England off at home in a Test last year,” Smith said.

“They’re certainly a dangerous side.”