Steve Smith, world’s top-ranked Test batsman, could certainly take a lot of pride from his gutsy show in the just-concluded Ashes 2019 in England, but still, he wants to keep working hard to get better as a player despite being considered as a modern-era great.
However, England managed to draw the Test series 2-2 at The Oval, but it was Smith’s incredible batting show that made it possible for Australia to retain the Ashes urn on the English soil after 18 years and he was proud of his show that helped his side to take the urn back home.
The 30-year-old batsman has been in a phenomenal form since making his comeback in the international cricket in the World Cup 2019 after serving a 12 months suspension for his role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last year.
Ever since Smith came to the UK for the World Cup 2019, the cruel boos from the English crowd never let him shrug off his sandpaper incident, but he did not let the critics dominate him as the Aussie has an answer to just about every delivery on the field.
However, Smith belatedly managed to win the hearts with his epic performances in the Ashes series after four and a half months of boos and barbs throughout the World Cup and the Ashes by English fans, as he was honored by a rousing standing ovation from both English and Australian crowd at The Oval.
The just-concluded Test series was the most prolific series ever for the right-hander, as the Aussie superstar has smashed few records with his 774 runs at 110.57 in just four Test matches.
Smith told reporters at the post-match conference, “Of course, you always want to get better as a player. I'll continue to try to get better as long as I play. That's the key, I think. You've got to keep working hard. Nothing's ever too much, you've just got to keep working hard and try to do whatever you can to win the game for your team. I'll continue to do that as long as I can.”
Meanwhile, he rued not been able to contribute in the final Test, where he scored 80 and 23 – his lowest total in the Ashes series but he was delighted to get nice reception at The Oval while admitting he was "cooked" after his dominance in the Test series and he will now take a couple of weeks' break from game.
The stylish batsman continued, “It was a nice reception when I walked off. I have given it my all while I have been here. I didn't have much more to give today. I was pretty cooked mentally and physically. I am looking forward to a couple of weeks off and heading back for the Australian summer. It was a long 18 months and I have a lot of people to thank.”
On his Ashes show, Smith said: “I am sure over the next couple of weeks I will look back and reflect. I am proud of my performances ... and to take the urn back home. That was the goal. The first innings was my favorite, it gave me the confidence to know I could slot straight back in. "You always want to get better. I'll continue to work hard.”
He signed off by saying, “England played some terrific cricket throughout this Test match and throughout this series as well. It's been great fun to be involved in.”
(With Sportstar/The Sydney Morning Herald Inputs)
