File photograph of Steve Smith.© AFP
Australia’s stand-in captain, Steve Smith is just not involved over the absence of key gamers within the Champions Trophy and needs the youthful gamers to carry out underneath stress within the international occasion. The Aussies will begin their marketing campaign within the event with a match towards previous foes England on Saturday, however the 50-over world champions is not going to have premier pacers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc of their ranks. They may also miss the providers of injured Mitchell Marsh and retired Marcus Stoinis.
“We haven’t done well in the Champions Trophy compared to other ICC events but I think the pressure of playing tournaments always brings out the best in us,” Smith mentioned at a pre-match convention right here on Friday.
Smith additionally made it clear that being the world title holders in one-day cricket is irrelevant because the Champions Trophy is a special event.
“I think in the Champions Trophy you have to be focussed from the start and in the last World Cup we were slow to get started and we were under the pump and then we brought our best at the backend of the tournament,” he mentioned.
“In the Champions Trophy you can’t be slow and that is our message to our group of players. It is basically you are playing quarterfinals from the start so you just have to be switched on,” he added.
Smith mentioned hopefully the Champions Trophy will deliver out one of the best in his younger gamers.
“There is always pressure in international tournaments and we are obviously missing our proven fast bowlers but we are not worried thinking about it as this also offers opportunities to those who are in the team now.” Smith mentioned Australia have some high quality gamers of their camp who’ve delivered underneath stress and he was trying ahead to testing them towards high quality oppositions.
“It is a great opportunity for the younger players to showcase their talent in a world event.” Smith mentioned England have been an excellent white ball staff, and he was trying ahead to beginning towards the previous world champions.
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