Ashes 2017-18: Steve Smith excited for Boxing Day Test amidst a sore hand

Smith has been in the form of his life in the ongoing Ashes series.

Steve Smith | Getty

Ahead of the much-anticipated Boxing Day Ashes Test, Australia skipper Steve Smith has disclosed that his hand was "a little bit sore" after taking a few blows in the nets. However, the world’s No. 1 Test batsman made it clear that he is fully charged up to take on the old enemy in Melbourne.

To make the matter worse Smith was accidentally hit in the hand by a Cameron Bancroft shot during the practice session at the MCG on Sunday (December 24).

"It's a little bit sore, it's more the back of my hand," quoted Smith in a news conference.

"I copped a few in the nets in Perth and a few more in the game and it just seems to be whenever you're getting hit in a spot it just continually gets hit.

"Yesterday's was a little bit bizarre, the ball came over the net and I didn't see it, someone said 'heads', I tried to put my head down and of course it hit me in the same spot.

"It was a little bit sore playing a few shots after that and a little bit sore today, playing a few different shots as well. But I'll be able to deal with it and just get on with it," he further added.

The humble Australian captain had also forgiven Bancroft saying that it was just a freakish accident.

"I didn't give him much. He was all right. He kept coming up, he was fine after I spoke to him after it and it was all good. Accidents happen," Smith said.

Smith has been doing wonders in the longest format of the game for some time now, but in the ongoing Ashes series the 28-year-old has taken his game to a different level. He has amassed 426 runs in the four innings of this Ashes series thus far, including two centuries and as many Man of the Match awards.

In the opening Ashes Test at Gabba, Smith played a match-defining knock of 141* which helped the hosts registered a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over England. The Australian captain then displayed his remarkable batting prowess in the third Test at Perth, where he recorded his second double ton (239) in the 5-day game.

The tradition Boxing Day Ashes Test will start on Tuesday (December 26) at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) while Sydney will host the fifth and final Test from January 4.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 25 Dec, 2017

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