CWC 2019: "I have certainly grown as a person," says Steve Smith

Smith took the one-year ban as an opportunity to freshen up and get fitter.

Steve Smith celebrates his hundred in the warm-up game against England | Getty Images

Steve Smith has returned to international cricket after serving a year-long ban. He has changed has a human in that period and has come back as a better human being, he believes.

He participated in a few social work activities and got the time to reflect on himself. Smith’s return will be a boost for the Australian team along with David Warner.

Having a year to reflect and do some different things that I’d never done before (was beneficial). Doing stuff in the mental health space, doing stuff with Gus Worland (an Australian television and radio personality) that was incredibly eye-opening and satisfying in a way to know I was making a difference to other people,” cricket.co.au quoted Smith as saying.

I took a lot out of that. I do feel I’ve certainly grown as a person over the last year, that’s for sure,” he added.

The 29-year-old took that one year break as an opportunity to freshen up and get fitter and hungrier for the runs for the rest of his career.

He said, “Not too many players have a year out of the game. Having performed at a high level for four to five years, to have a year away has helped freshen me up and come back hungrier than ever and work on a few different things and get fitter.

The Australian team is feeling good to have him and Warner back into the squad and everybody has welcomed them in open hands like nothing happened.

I’ve really enjoyed the way everyone has got around me and Dave (Warner), it’s just like fitting back in like we never left in a way,” he said.

Smith was nursing an elbow injury some time back. He also got operated on his elbow in January 2019. Although, his stats since the injury gives an impression that it has had no effect on his batting.

It’s coming along pretty well. I haven’t been able to really test it yet throwing-wise. I’d say I’m probably at about 80 per cent throwing-wise. Hopefully, it can progress a little bit further before the first game.” he concluded.

(With inputs from cricket.com.au)

 
 

By Sameer Deodhar - 26 May, 2019

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