SMITH WANTS A BAT Star searching for runs
Leicester in touch after win Milligan calling time on Socceroos
CRICKET:
Steve Smith is ready to return to his status as Australia's run-scoring machine against New Zealand after spending less time in the middle against Pakistan than any other series in his career.
Smith was hardly required in Australia's 2-0 trouncing of Pakistan, facing just 74 balls as the hosts' top-three scored 939 runs between them.
A known performer when the chips are down, Smith's scores of four and 36 as Australia found it easy meant he lost his spot at the top of the ICC's world batting rankings to Virat Kohli.
Smith is far from out of form and his average of 67.87 against New Zealand makes ominous reading for the tourists.
But it also says something about his impeccable Test record that he is just one game away from going three Tests without a 50 for the first time in his career.
“I wasn't too disappointed with the way I played,” Smith said ahead of Thursday's first Test at Perth's Optus Stadium.
“I wasn't under much pressure and I was able to relax. And when I came in we were well in control and there was no real pressure.
“I'm not really too fazed by my performances as such. I'm hitting the ball well and comfortable with where my game is at.
“I'm looking forward to this series and if I am needed, hopefully I will be able to score some runs.”
Typically, Smith dealt with the lack of time at the crease by hitting cricket balls in the nets.
He hit less than an hour after his dismissal in Brisbane, and arrived with Marnus Labuschagne well before the team on the final day in Adelaide for an extra workout.
FOOTBALL:
A club-record eighth successive English Premier League victory for Leicester City and an eighthstraight game scoring for Jamie Vardy (pictured).
The Foxes rolled the clock back four years with another title challenge that gathered more momentum with Vardy netting twice in a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa. The problem for Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers is Liverpool are eight points in front.
There is still more than half the season remaining and a
By his own admission, the 31year-old is not a good watcher of cricket when waiting to bat.
He spent 83 overs with pads on waiting in Adelaide last week after 100 the previous weekend in Brisbane.
The team scores of 2-369 and 2-351 were also the second and third highest he's come to the wicket at throughout his career.
“It wasn't easy actually,” Smith said.
“It's been a while since I was sitting there just watching the boys do their thing.
“It was great to see some guys score some big runs and me just sit back and chill back. Or at least try and chill out.
“It's actually hard waiting to bat. You're really focused on what is going on out in the middle and getting ready. That was difficult from the point of view.”
Smith will be going into the unknown when he fronts up for the day-night Test against NZ at Optus Stadium, starting Thursday.
Smith missed the inaugural Test at Optus Stadium against India last year due to his ball tampering ban, and he'll be confronted by more variables than normal when he faces NZ.
He is hungry to fire against the Kiwis following a lean run against Pakistan, and says he and his teammates will have to adapt on the run in tricky conditions.
“There is a sense of unknown, particularly with the pink ball as well,” Smith said.
“Sometimes when the wicket's really hard it can soften that ball up. It can be 10, 15 overs (of hard work) at the start when the ball is new, but then good for batting for 50 or 60 overs.
“I think it will be about us just summing it up and seeing how it plays and adapting really quickly to whatever we need to do.” meeting between the top two on December 26.
“I don't think anyone expects us to be near the top,” former Reds boss Rodgers said.
Elsewhere, Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan has now made the secondmost saves this season with 62 after his performance in Brighton's 2-2 draw with Wolves. Wolves matched a 57-yearold club record by going an 11th top-flight game unbeaten. Southampton lost 2-1 to Newcastle, while Sheffield United also beat Norwich 2-1.
FOOTBALL:
The Socceroos have lost the final link to Australia's ‘golden generation' with captain Mark Milligan announcing his international retirement.
One of just two Australians to make four World Cup squads along with Tim Cahill, the 34year-old told teammates and staff yesterday he was calling time on his Socceroos career.
Milligan debuted for Australia in a friendly against Liechtenstein in June 2006 and went on to make 80 appearances for Australia.
A member of Australia's 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cup squads, Milligan also played at three Asian Cups, including the successful 2015 tournament on home soil.
“It has been a privilege to be involved with the Socceroos over the last 14-odd years,” Milligan said.
“To be able to represent my country over that time is above and beyond anything I could have dreamed of. It hasn't always been smooth sailing – it was always going to be difficult to try and break into a squad full of Australian superstars.
“But I was given a chance, and just to be involved with players from Australia's golden generation and learn my trade from them was an absolute gift that I will be forever grateful for.”
Milligan was appointed Socceroos captain by Graham Arnold following Mile Jedinak's retirement in 2018.
“I am so proud of Mark and the career that he has had,” Arnold said.
Ed Jackson