Steve Smith has stressed how Australia must treat their group-stage opener against old foes England like a knock-out match as they simply can’t afford a slow start to their Champions Trophy campaign.
Convinced “the pressure of big tournaments gets the best out of us as a team”, Smith conceded on the eve of Saturday’s clash in Lahore that world champions Australia still haven’t performed as well as they would have liked down the years in the shorter-format Champions Trophy.
But he’s still backing a side without their ‘big-three’ pacemen Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to shine in Pakistan as he looks forward to “a belter” of a 50-over contest with England.
“We know that sometimes in those big tournaments, in World Cups for instance, it takes us a little while to get into our groove, which we’ve done in the last few, but we know with Champions Trophy it’s a shorter format,” conceded Smith at a news conference on Friday.
“You’re only playing three round-games, so you have to be switched on from the first one. So, our message to the group is, essentially, it’s a quarter-final to begin proceedings and, hopefully, that can bring the best out of our players.”
Asked if he felt there was more pressure on a side without its bowling champions, Smith offered a clear vote of confidence in the stand-ins like Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson, and shrugged: “I mean, I’m pretty relaxed.
“There’s always pressure when you’re playing in international events and big tournaments. Look, it’s clear we’re obviously missing a few of our gun fast bowlers, but we’re not worried about that.
“We’re thinking about what we’ve got here and the opportunity that those guys have.
“There’s some quality players in that room that are playing in almost their first big event I suppose, which they’re looking forward to and I’m looking forward to as well – I think it’s going to be great to see them placed under pressure against some quality opposition.
“Yeah, it’s going to be an exciting time for us. Looking forward to it.”
Admitting it would feel a little strange in the dressing room without the celebrated pace trio, Smith added: “I’ve played for 10 years-plus with those guys around so it’s a little bit different but I think it’s great opportunity for some of these younger guys to showcase their skills in a world event.”
The master batter was also delighted that England will be first up, and played down the idea that Jos Buttler’s side, coming off the back of a hammering by India, are a team low on confidence.
“Look, England are a great side. They’ve been a very good white-ball team for a long period of time and we’re looking forward to starting our campaign against them,” said Smith.
“Hopefully it’s a belter of a game.”
Australia will save naming their team until the toss. “We’re pretty clear where we’re sort of heading but I need to have a look at the surface when we get an opportunity,” said Smith.
Meanwhile, former star Australian allrounder Shane Watson has declared that a resurgent Glenn Maxwell could be the player of the tournament in Pakistan.
“The stand-out player for me is Glenn Maxwell,” Watson, one of the tournament ambassadors, wrote in his ICC column.
“With what I have seen recently, especially in the Big Bash, I believe he has some of his best cricket in front of him across the next two or three years and I would be very surprised if he does not dominate this Champions Trophy.”
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au