The Veteran Australian batsman Steve Smith has let go of rumors surrounding his test retirement. Smith making it clear that he is not going anywhere yet. He also said that he does not know how the news started coming about his Test future. A few days back, former England captain Michael Vaughan was said in media reports that he had heard rumors of Steve Smith and David Warner retiring from Test cricket after the fifth and final Ashes Test 2023 at The Oval.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the second day of the Final Ashes Test on Friday, 28, 2023, Smith cleared about retirement.
“I’m not retiring. I have no idea (where it’s come from) because I haven’t said it to anyone. I am not going anywhere yet,” he said.
Steve Smith has not performed well in Ashes Test 2023. He did not score a century at Lord’s but his performance in last three Tests was disappointing. However On Friday, 28 he scored 71 runs in 123 balls as Australia recovered from 185/7 in their first inning.
“I felt pretty good. Today is the best I have batted maybe outside of the Test Championship (final). I would have liked more runs (on this tour) of course but two hundreds in six games for the winter here, I think it’s reasonable,” Smith elaborated.
A Bit Disappointing – Smith on Australian Batsmen Not Getting Off To A Good Start
Australia started their innings at 61/1 on the second day in reply to England at 283 runs. However, they kept losing their wickets and slipped to 185/7. The lower-order battle saw them reach 295 runs, giving the visitors a small 12-run lead. However, Steve Smith lamented the lack of application from the batsmen.
“A lot of us got starts and weren’t able to capitalize and go and put one of those partnerships that were 40 or 50 into 100-150 to give us a decent lead. So a bit disappointing from that aspect. I would have liked a few more partners to maybe stick around and be able to just play normally for a while,” he said.
MOST TEST RUNS AMONG TOURING PLAYERS AT THE OVAL 🏏 🇦🇺
617 — Steve Smith (AUS)
553 — Sir Donald Bradman (AUS)Smudge just loves batting at The Oval 🙌 👉 https://t.co/tTzMFbQahD pic.twitter.com/oOiuomb5yJ
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) July 29, 2023
While Steve Smith made a half-century in Australia’s First Innings. Pat Cummins made 36 runs and Todd Murphy made 34 runs, played important innings.
