Smith in greatest shape of his life

STEVE Smith’s skinfolds are at record lows after the World Cup-bound batsman used his 12-month ban to get in the “best physical condition of his life”.

Smith, 29, and David Warner will bat for Australia for the third time in five days today before boarding an evening flight to Gallipoli with their Australian teammates.

Coach Justin Langer described Smith’s unbeaten 89 against New Zealand on Wednesday as a “tutorial in batting” and praised Warner’s Virat Kohli-like energy levels.

“(Smith’s) skin-folds are the lowest they’ve ever been, and we’re talking elite levels,” Langer told SEN.

“That was one of his goals at the start of the ban — come back in better physical shape than ever before.

“He and Davey have done the same thing, they are in pristine condition. (They’re) both incredibly hungry for runs, which is part of the success for the team.”

Smith and Warner have spent the past week learning Australia’s new ODI game plan, which was overhauled at a crisis meeting between coaches and selectors in Melbourne during the Boxing Day Test.