SMITH FIRES BROADSIDE AT STU AXE
STEVE SMITH saluted Stuart Broad and admitted he was ‘surprised’ at not seeing more of the England seamer in this series.
Australia have cruised to a 3-0 lead with Broad – who has taken 526 Test wickets – left on the sidelines for two games at Brisbane and Melbourne on pitches that would have suited him.
The decision not to set up another contest between Broad and David Warner in the first game of the series caused a huge stir, and left the bowler, 35, more than miffed.
In his latest newspaper column he has expressed his frustration at the decision and it appears that surprise was shared in the Aussie dressing room.
“We have been a bit surprised,” said Smith (below). “They were two wickets that would have suited him pretty well.
“He bowled well in Adelaide. He’s always been a good contest for me. He’s got me out quite a few times, I’ve scored some runs off him, so it’s been a decent battle.
“Him and Jimmy Anderson together are two world-class performers, they have been for a long time. Maybe we’ll see them out here together this week, I’m not sure.”
England are weighing up whether or not to bring Broad back for Sydney, while Australia will continue to be without injured pace star Josh Hazlewood who is recovering from a side strain.
Even without Hazlewood, Australia have been too strong for England, and Smith is keen to keep the pressure on as they look for yet another 5-0 whitewash.
The batsman was a part of the 2013/14 series, scoring a first innings hundred at the SCG in the win that completed the misery.
Smith added: “It’s nice to have wrapped it up in three, it takes the pressure off us a little bit – but we want to keep being relentless and ruthless.”