Ready for England showdown: Smith
Steve Smith insists Australia batsmen will be ready for their do-or-die showdown against England despite their lack of action in the tournament.
Steve Smith’s side endured frustration of having Monday’s clash with Bangladesh cricket team abandoned due to rain, just days after their opening fixture against New Zealand cricket team was also washed out.
With two points from their two matches, Australia will have to beat hosts England to reach the semi-finals.
“I think it makes the equation pretty simple for us,” Smith said. “We have to beat England and then I think we’re through. I haven’t really read into anything else that’s happened. I guess we’ve just got to beat England.”
In the circumstances, Australia could have done with their batsmen being in good form before the crunch encounter with their old rivals.
But, asked if their lack of time at the crease could undermine them against England, Australia captain Smith said: “I’m sure they will be okay. You know, most of the guys have been playing a lot of cricket, anyway, having been at the IPL and things like that.
“I think once they get out in the middle, things will just click into place, and yeah, hopefully we can play well.”
On the bright side for Smith, his bowlers were more effective against Bangladesh after struggling to find their rhythm in the New Zealand match.
Pace bowler Mitchell Starc was the cream of the crop with four wickets in nine balls in rout the Bangladesh tail.
“I thought all our bowlers were a lot better today. We hit some good areas early on and challenged the defence of Bangladeshi batsmen,” Smith said.
“Everyone that bowled I thought did a pretty good job today, and it was nice that we were able to turn things around from the way things went in the first game against New Zealand.”
Starc’s blistering spell was some consolation for Smith, but he was still left to rue the weather.
“Of course I didn’t want to go off. I was happy to keep batting through the rain,” he said.
“But the umpires are there to make a decision and I think drinks was at the end of that over, which probably didn’t help.
“If the game had just carried on, perhaps they may have had a different opinion.
It’s disappointing not to get a win but can’t do much about the weather and we can’t control that.”
Everyone that bowled I thought did a pretty good job today, and it was nice that we were able to turn things around from the way things went in the first game.