HIGH-SCORING SMITH BACK TO HIS BEST
STEVE Smith has taken just two weeks to re-establish himself as Australia’s best batsman with the freakish superstar averaging 139 runs since his ball-tampering ban expired.
Smith has told assistant coach Ricky Ponting he is “100 per cent fit” after elbow surgery hampered his Indian Premier League campaign and smashed his third consecutive half-century to anchor Australia’s crushing win against the West Indies.
“He’s hitting the ball in the areas he wants to hit the ball and you saw today he’s hitting the ball cleanly and hard and moving well,” Ponting said.
The former captain even bowled two overs of leg-spin (0/11) and got off the mark with a powerful six before scoring all around the wicket on his way to 76 (82).
Smith and Shaun Marsh added 109 runs to kill Australia’s target of 230, which they chased down with seven wickets and 69 balls to spare.
“(Smith) is ready for a big tournament,” Marsh, who finished unbeaten on 55, said.
Spinners Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell combined for 3/10 (17 balls) to derail the West Indies’ innings.
Opening batsman Usman Khawaja was yesterday cleared of a broken jaw after he was hospitalised for scans following an Andre Russell bouncer to the helmet.
Marsh said it was “very scary” when Khawaja retired hurt on five runs (seven balls) just two overs into the run chase in Southampton.
“It copped him on the side of the cheekbone,” Marsh said. “(He was) obviously a little bit shaken. But Uzzie’s a tough cookie and he’ll be fine and ready to go.”
Khawaja is expected to be fit for tomorrow’s practice match against World Cup favourite England.