Think we’ve made the right decision to not play a tour match: Steve Smith

Australia batter Steve Smith has reckoned that it is the right decision to not play a tour match before the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy against hosts India citing the “irrelevant” pitches that didn’t spin in those games when they were in the country on previous occasion.

Notably, Australia had adopted a no tour match policy since their tour of Pakistan last year.

“We’ll wait and see when we hit the ground. I think we’ve made the right decision to not play a tour match. Like I said, last time they dished up a green top for us and we barely faced any spin, so it’s kind of irrelevant.”

“We’re better off having our own nets and getting spinners in and bowling as much as they can,” Smith was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph before leaving from Sydney airport with the Australian team on Tuesday.

“We normally have two tour games over in England. This time we don’t have a tour game in India. The last time we went I’m pretty sure we got served up a green top (to practise on) and it was sort of irrelevant.”

“Hopefully, we get really good training facilities where the ball is likely to do what it’s likely to do out in the middle, and we can get our practice in,” added Smith.

During their last tour of India, Australia had lost 2-1 despite winning the first Test in Pune however, Smith feels that the Pat Cummins-led side is ready for the Indian challenge.

“It’s certainly huge. I don’t know if it’s (winning in India) the final frontier. I’ve never won there, I’ve been there twice (for Tests), it’s always difficult playing there.”

“India and England – our two opponents over the next six months – are probably our biggest as an Australian Test cricketer. We’ve got some challenges in front of us, but the guys are ready for it.”

News Desk

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