Off-field issues might look extremely dull and gloomy for the Australian cricket team, but that hasn’t deterred skipper Steven Smith from losing any hope for the upcoming edition of the ICC Champions Trophy in England.
Smith, who has been on the go right since February during the Test series against India and then the IPL, spoke optimistically about the pay dispute with Cricket Australia (CA) being settled.
In his briefing at the Lord’s Stadium, Smith was also of the view that the negotiations could possibly meet a fruitful solution if Australia were to win the upcoming title event. Australia has previously won the ICC Champions Trophy twice, in 2006 and 2009, in India and South Africa, respectively. Both these triumphs came under the leadership of Ricky Ponting.
“If we win it will certainly be really good for the playing group,” Smith said in his interaction with the media. “We are sticking really strong together. We are backing what the ACA is doing back home. But as I said before it is about focusing on this tournament and making sure we are entirely switched on.”
When quizzed about his deputy’s comments stating that the Australian team could well be without its professional players if the pay dispute wasn’t solved, Smith took the more optimistic route.
“I saw the comments. I certainly don’t think. Of course, we want to play in the Ashes. Of course, we want everything to go really well there. It is just about making sure the guys finalise a deal and get the MoU sorted and then everything will be fine,” said Smith.
“Certainly nothing from us that we don’t want to play, we certainly want to be playing in the Ashes. Hopefully, they will get things resolved soon and everything will be back to normal,” the Australian captain added, indicating his priorities.
Backing the Australia Cricketers’ Association (ACA) for their efforts back home in Australia, Smith said,
“We are supportive of the ACA in what they are doing back home. They are working really hard with CA to get the deal right. And I am sure in time they will get that and everything will be okay for everyone involved.”