AUSSIES RESUME TRAINING, SMITH SAYS HE IS IN BEST SHAPE IN YEARS

SYDNEY:TOP Australian cricketers resumed training on Monday at the Sydney Olympic Park with batting mainstay Steve Smith saying that he is in his best shape in years after putting the bat aside for two months to focus on physical and mental fitness. David Warner and Mitchell Starc were among those who reported for training as the pre-season began behind closed doors.

“I’m probably in the best shape I’ve been in in years, doing lots of running, lots of gym stuff at home. It’s been a couple of months of good hard work,” Smith said.

Cricket Australia announced last week that its international season will begin from August 9.

Smith, someone who loves shadow batting as much as he loves being in the middle, surprisingly did not pick up a bat for the last two months due to the lockdown. Smith said he focussed on physical and mental fitness during the forced break. “I haven’t touched a bat, really. A couple of little drills at home but that’s about it. I’ve just tried to switch off from it a bit, which I don’t do very often. I was just focusing on getting myself fit and strong and refreshing mentally,” he said.

England cricketers have also begun training in a bio-secure environment and Sri Lankan players too resumed practice.

Smith said it was a welcome break from the game after a gruelling 2019. “It’s been a bit different but I’m sure in the long run it will probably be a good thing to freshen up after a pretty long year and a half since the World Cup and Ashes.”

There is a possibility that Australian cricket team’s support staff will be down-sized for cost cutting and Smith said he is prepared for that.

“They all have a role to play, particularly as the game has evolved and got more professional. If that happens it will take some adjusting. It’ll be about guys being able to help each other out, particularly senior players being able to take a bit of time off and help someone else out at training,” he added.