Steven Smith Disappointed By ICC’s Overall Scheduling
Dec 27, 2016 at 5:12 PM
Australia captain Steven Smith has expressed his disappointment against the International Cricket Council (ICC) with regards to a jam packed international calendar in store for the Australians. After the three-match Test series against the visiting Pakistani side, Australia play them in a series of 5 ODIs, after which they will also play three T20Is against Sri Lanka.
With the all important tour of India set to commence from February 23, Smith believes his side needs some time off before the challenges of the Indian terrain. As per the current scheduling, Australia is scheduled to play Sri Lanka in a T20I on February 22, a night before the first Test against India. In all probability, this means a second string Australian side will take on Sri Lanka.
On the sidelines of the Test series against Pakistan, Smith admitted he isn’t too pleased with the schedule. “I don’t think it’s ideal,” Smith said post the second day’s play in Melbourne.. “I think the Australian public would love to see the best Australian team on the park for every game. It’s difficult to do that with the schedule and how much we play.”
Smith also reiterated the fact that resting ace pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for the tour of South Africa comprising of 5 ODIs was a good decision. “Had they been there, things could have been slightly different. We look now and see how well they’re bowling, and considering how much cricket they’ve had to play over the summer, it was probably the right decision to have rested them and made sure they were fit for the summer,” Smith said.
Smith concluded by mentioning his aim is to achieve glory in the shortest format of the game as well. “In T20 cricket, we play games on and off, here and there,” Smith said. “For me, the most important thing is that we win major tournaments in that format of the game, and that’s the World Cup,” he concluded.