AUS vs IND, 2nd Test: Steve Smith not worried about his back injury

Steve Smith, Australia’s talisman has brushed aside concerns over his long-term back injury. In lead up to the first day-night Test at Adelaide, Smith had skipped a few training sessions and said that he was still a little stiff on Tuesday. However, he stated that he was able to manage his long term injury without any flare-ups.

“It’s just something I need to manage whenever it goes and I probably haven’t had an episode since – I think it was – 2014 so hopefully, they can continue to be six years apart,” Smith said. “If I’m moving around and laying down I’m good. If I sit around for too long it’s not great for it, but I’m not worried about it. I think everything will be fine and I’ll be good to go,” said Smith.

Steve Smith got off to a slow start in the Test series against India after being dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin in the first Test for just one run. The second Test match against India begins on the Boxing Day in Melbourne on December 26. Smith boasts an astonishing record in his seven Boxing Tests where he has amassed 908 runs, averaging 113.50 .

“My boxing day record is probably the best in Australia among all grounds. I like batting at the MCG,” Smith said. “There’s nothing like the thrill and you get the shivers down your spine when you walk out to bat on Boxing Day with the crowd yelling, and it’s like a dream come true in a way. Because as a kid I always wanted to play in boxing day Test match,” he added.

Also Read: India Vs Australia: David Warner Might Not Feature In The Boxing Day Test

Kohli’s absence a big loss for India: Steve Smith

Australia took a 1-0 lead in the four match Test series after a brilliant pace bowling display by Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood bowled out India for just 36 runs in the second innings. The hosts then chased down the target comfortably with eight wickets to spare.

“Look, the other day we just saw some pretty incredible fast bowling. It is probably the best I’ve seen our bowlers bowl collectively for about five years I think,” Smith said. “The lengths they were hitting were just impeccable. Sometimes that happens, you get a good ball and you nick it… You got to let it go and move on and try and keep yourself in a positive mindset.”

Steve Smith also stated that Virat Kohli’s absence for the last three Test matches will be a big loss for India. “I’m sure there would have been a lot of pressure for him to stay but to stand up and want to go home for the birth of his first child, it’s a credit for him. It’s a milestone that he certainly wouldn’t want to miss.

“It is a big loss for India not having him for the rest of the series. You have to look at the way he played in first innings, was a pretty class display against good bowling. Wicket was doing a bit and I had said it before and will say it again, credit to him to stand up and say I want to go home for the birth of his first child,” he added.