2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Steven Smith Wants To Deliver Against Confident England In Crunch Game

Nov 2, 2023 at 3:44 PM

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2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Steven Smith Wants To Deliver Against Confident England In Crunch Game

It’s England who has been termed favourites for the ongoing 2017 ICC Champions, as they are scheduled on Saturday – to take on Steven Smith-led Australia, a side who is aiming to clinch a win in a must-win encounter – to qualify for the knockout stage of the ongoing 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.

Showing the transformation since breaking into the national team, Smith has been a standout performer for Australia before being ushered as a new skipper, he reveals both the competitive teams know each other from the strength to weakness while adding they have had played a lot in the past.

“It’s been 18 months, but we’ve played a lot against each other. Whether it’s in the IPL, or with each other, so we know each other’s game pretty well,” Smith Smith was quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au.

The right-handed batsman Smith has expressed the satisfaction over his recent preparations while stating the side is wary of the England bowling line-up which made a remarkable comeback at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff against Kiwis while bundling them out for 223 on June 6.

“The bowlers have a set of skills that we know quite well and we know what they are going to do,” Smith remarked.

Sitting on two points from as many games, Smith revealed they would be trying best to their capability against England with strength while knowing that there are some loopholes taking place in the English unit.

“They don’t like to change a lot so from our aspect we know that and that’s something we can play on,” Smith maintained.

While looking at the England side, the Eoin Morgan-led team hasn’t set the foot wrong, as the players have been equally contributed for each other while emerging as victorious against New Zealand and Bangladesh, respectively.

“I think they’ve played some good cricket, particularly here in England,” Smith asserted.

Making the regular improvement in the 50-over format, England side has been coming with the different set of plans which has further witnessed a positive approach from the Three Lions as a unit.

“They know these conditions well, they are a dangerous side and are playing well at the moment, Smith added.

Smith has further admitted that England is laced with quality batters, as he would be spending some time with the management to chalk out plans for England’s bowlers and batters, respectively.

“Obviously they’ve got some dangerous batters in their line-up who can score big runs and quick runs as well,” Smith further added.

Moreover, the rain threat has loomed large during the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, as Smith revealed Australia will announce the Playing XI after accessing the pitch and conditions on the match day.

The 28-year-old Smith is hinging on pace portent which includes Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who would want to give their best – to contain the batting depth of the hosts and their traditional Ashes rivals England.

“So you’re halfway through the battle, if that makes sense,” Smith concluded.

Interestingly, from the Group A, England is the only team among eight nations which has already qualified for the next stage after winning first two games comprehensively before wrestling at the Edgbaston, as the Group B has been left wide open after Sri Lanka trounced India by seven wickets on Thursday at The Oval.

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