Aussies back in training, Smith oozes confidence

Sydney, June 1: 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 domestic pre-season began behind closed doors. Australia is one of the less-affected countries from the Covid-19 pandemic with little over 7000 cases reported so far.

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

Herald’.

Cricket Australia announced the international season last week, scheduled to begin from August 9.

“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.

Morning

Smith said it was a welcome break from the game after a gruelling 2019.

Smith also said that he would be willing to take part in the IPL if the T20 World Cup scheduled in his country for OctoberNovember is postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The BCCI is eyeing a September-October window for the indefinitely postponed IPL.

Smith, who was named Rajasthan Royals captain ahead of the scheduled season, said he would be open to travelling for the IPL. “I think when you’re playing for your country at a World Cup, that’s the pinnacle for one-day or T20 cricket, so of course I’d prefer to play in that,” Smith said after returning to training with the New South Wales squad on Monday. — PTI

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Australian cricketer