IND vs AUS 2017: What does Steve Smith say ahead of his 100th ODI at Eden Gardens?

Steve Smith will play his 100th ODI game for Australia tomorrow. Image Source: twitter
Steve Smith will play his 100th ODI game for Australia tomorrow. Image Source: twitter

Kolkata: Steve Smith led Australian cricket team are all set to face the hosts India in a crucial second ODI of the five-match ODI series at the Eden Gardens on Thursday. The visitors are already 0-1 down in the series and a loss in the second too means they have to win the remaining three matches of the series against a team which is going through the form of his life. The Aussie skipper might also want to make the match memorable as he will be playing his 100th ODI for Australia tomorrow. On the eve of his 100th ODI as the skipper Smith looked a bit nostalgic. According to him his century against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the semifinal of the ICC World 2015 is the most memorable innings of his career till now.

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“My most memorable innings would be the 100 I scored in the SCG in the semifinal against India. Pretty big game, it was good to stand up and get to score that, we lost a wicket pretty early and I was able to forge a partnership with Finch and yes that’s one my better hundreds in a big occasion,” said Smith while speaking to the media at the pre-match press-conference today.

It has been raining in Kolkata since the last couple of days. Smith said they would thing about their batting order if the team won’t get a chance to bat for the full quota of 50 overs’.

“Certainly something to think about. To begin with, we’ll turn up tomorrow and expect to be playing 50 overs. If things change from there, we need to adapt and do what needs to be done. We weren’t good enough in the 21 overs in the last game and that’s something we got to do lot better,” added Smith.

According to Smith the wicket has a bit of grass on it and the team management will take the final call on team selection after having another look on the pitch tomorrow.

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“Little bit of grass on it. It’s more than I’ve seen in India for a while. Looks alright, few cracks on the wicket but I think don’t think they will play a part. Looks the wicket’s been used somewhere, I don’t know in what game. I will have another look tomorrow, see what the weather is doing, they might cut it (grass) I don’t know and then take a call on the team.”

“Last night former Australian skipper Michael Clarke said Steve Smith is going through a challenging period as captain. Smith replied on these with a straight bat”.

“I don’t think I am in a bad place in my captaincy. Obviously, results haven’t been as we liked for a little while and that’s something we are trying to rectify. Guys are working hard and are ensuring that the job is done out there. It’s disappointing start to the series the other day but we have another game tomorrow and we will try and turn things around,” concluded Smith.