IND vs AUS: Steve Smith feeling confident on return from injury after facing Pat Cummins in nets

Australia are going to play a three-match ODI series vs India ahead of the World Cup 2023. This would be a crucial series for Australia for their preparation ahead of the premier ICC tournament. Senior batter Steve Smith is set for a return from a wrist injury he suffered during the Ashes 2023. Smith – one of the most experienced batters in Australia side, spoke ahead of the first ODI match and provided an update on his current situation.

Speaking to cricket Australia, Smith said that he faced Australia captain Pat Cummins in the nets and felt confident about his batting. Smith batted under the sun in the hot conditions at Mohali two days ahead of the day night game.

“I’m pretty cooked to be honest, it’s very hot out here,” he said. “I got a good sweat on but it was nice to spend some time in the nets.

“I faced Patty (Cummins) for a bit, felt good against him, faced quite a bit of spin and lots on the ‘wanger’, so it’s a good start.”

Smith was out for a considerable period and would actually have been out for a bigger period of time if he had not taken injections during the Ashes 2023 series. The batter said that he did a lot of fitness work while he was away from the game.

“(I was) doing quite a bit of fitness, lots of running, I was still able to do that when I had the brace on,” he said.

“When I got the brace off there was not a lot of change (with the injury) so I had a little injection and I feel a million bucks now,” he further added.

“Probably a few days after I had the needle, I started to feel good. I was a bit wary (today) with a bit of catching and landing, so the first few I was just easing into it but it feels good so I’m ready to go,” Smith concluded on the matter.

Australia have other injury concerns going into the series. Australia captain Pat Cummins has ruled Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell out of the first ODI match against India and has said that they will play later in the series. Australia opener Travis Head broke his finger coming into the India series and will not be fit to play before the second half of the ODI World Cup 2023.

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