Smith: England’s tactics were strange

AUSTRALIA’S stand-in captain Steve Smith criticised England’s bowling at the end of day two. ‘There were some strange tactics at certain times,’ said Smith of England in the field. ‘They bowled a fraction short with the first new ball, not hitting the stumps as hopefully our boys are able to do.’ Smith, who fell seven runs short of his 12th Ashes hundred, added: ‘It’s a pretty tough wicket. You really have to grind, back your defence and leave well, then cash in if they bowl anything loose. Another seven runs would have been nice for me but it doesn’t matter too much because of the position we’re in.’ Despite England’s uphill battle in Adelaide, Ben Stokes insists he is ‘loving’ his return to cricket. Stokes, 30, put everything into his 25 overs to take three wickets as Australia piled up 473 for nine, with England captain Joe Root using him in an ‘enforcer’ role in the absence of the extra pace of Mark Wood. After being a late addition to the Ashes squad which ended the break from the game he took last summer to repair a broken left index finger and protect his mental health, Stokes is delighted to be back. ‘I’ve loved every minute of it,’ said Stokes after thunder and lightning brought the second day to a close with England on the ropes at 17 for two following the dismissals of Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed. ‘Walking out and wearing the three lions is one of the great feelings. Playing in Australia makes it more difficult but it’s fantastic fun as well as being a huge honour.’ England insisted they would look after the health of Stokes, who is adamant he is fit enough for such a demanding role with the ball — despite a knee injury during the first Test. ‘If you don’t feel sore getting up in the morning you’ve probably not done what’s required of you,’ he said. ‘You’ve just got to love the dirt when you get that deep in the game and understand what you’re playing for.’