'Smudge Will Be Batting At Number...': AUS Skipper Pat Cummins' Huge Reveal Ahead Of WTC Final
Much was speculated regarding Smith's fit in the batting lineup, with many suggesting that the Aussies might consider sending the talisman batter out to open the innings for them.
When the stakes are high, it's best to play to your strengths. And the stakes sure don't get much higher when a World Test Championship is on the line.
Well, Australia skipper Pat Cummins has followed suit, announcing that talisman batter Steve Smith will take to the crease for the side at No. 4, ahead of the World Test Championship final.
Australia's upcoming World Test Championship final against South Africa is set to take place at Lord's from June 11-15.
Smith, who has thrived playing at No. 4 for the Aussies in Tests, with 23 centuries and 26 fifties under his belt from the same position, was one of their saviours back in the 2023 WTC Final against India as well, where he slammed a first-innings century which set the stage for Australia to win and claim the title.
Much has been speculated regarding Smith's fit in the batting lineup, with many suggesting that the men from down under might consider sending the talisman batter out to open the innings for them.
In a conversation with The Grade Cricketer on Prime Video Australia, Cummins shut down all rumours and confirmed that Smith will take to the crease from the No.4 position only.
'I can confirm that Smudge will be batting at four. Everyone else, I'm not willing to confirm, but I can confirm Steve Smith will be number four," said Cummins.
Australia is on the verge of becoming the first team to win back-to-back WTC titles, and Cummins spoke about the challenges of competing in the two-year championship cycle.
'After winning (in 2023), there's a lot of talk of trying to retain it. Go and defend it. It's not tangible until you actually make the final. Now that we've made it, it'll be pretty cool to win another ICC trophy."
'You've really got to be a complete team over a couple-year stretch to make the final. We just missed out on that first year (2019-2021), but I think we are a better side now than we were back then.
'I think two (WTC titles) would be incredible. One, I think, is still a pretty good demonstration of how good we've been over the past few years," he elaborated.
But Cummins isn't one to reminisce on the past, for he knows very well that South Africa, captained by Temba Bavuma, has enough match-winners themselves who can pose a serious challenge to them in the WTC final.
'They always seem to compete in every tournament. They've got a lot of experience, especially the white-ball teams – they play across different franchise leagues."
'There's always a little bit of mystique around South Africa, because we don't play them as often as, say, India."
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