Steve Smith Prepares for ICC World Test Championship Final Against South Africa

Steve Smith, the Australian cricket star, shares his journey as he prepares for the ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa. After retiring from ODIs, Smith took a break from batting, focusing on fitness and training in New York. With an impressive Test record in England, he aims to continue his form and score another century. Smith reflects on his recent challenges and evolving training philosophy, emphasizing mental readiness for the upcoming match. Discover how he plans to reclaim his top performance as Australia defends its title.
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Steve Smith Prepares for ICC World Test Championship Final Against South Africa

Steve Smith's Intentional Break from ODI Cricket

Australian cricket star Steve Smith has shared insights into his decision to take a break from batting after retiring from One Day Internationals (ODIs). As he gears up for his team's title defense in the ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's, Smith emphasized the importance of this conscious effort to step back.


At 36 years old, Smith concluded his ODI career following his team's semifinal appearance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He aims to maintain his impressive form in Test cricket and hopes to score another century during the championship match on June 11. After a century in the 2023 WTC final against India, he faced a brief struggle for runs but regained his form during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, achieving four centuries in his last five Tests.


Training Regimen in New York

While some teammates participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL) or played for English counties to adapt to the conditions for the WTC final, Smith opted for a different approach. He spent time in New York before returning to practice, expressing eagerness to start training with Australian coach Andrew McDonald.


The Australian cricket setup has long allowed players to manage their preparations independently, trusting their experience. However, it was unusual for Smith, known for his dedication to practice, to refrain from batting for an extended period.


Fitness Training and Mobility Improvements

Recently turning 36, Smith worked with a personal trainer in the U.S. to enhance his fitness. He reported feeling as strong as he did in 2014, with improved hip mobility that could aid his catching abilities in the slips.


"I usually have a bat nearby for shadow batting, but I decided to take a break. It was beneficial," Smith remarked, as reported by ESPNCricinfo. He hadn't hit a ball since a missed opportunity against Mohammed Shami in the Champions Trophy but felt everything fell into place quickly upon returning to practice.


Impressive Test Record in England

Smith boasts a remarkable Test average of 56.01 in England, with 12 centuries, including a score of 121 against India in the WTC 2023 finals. His average at Lord's rises to 58.33, and he scored a century during the 2023 Ashes at this venue.


He noted that the bounce at Beckenham, where Australia trained initially, felt reminiscent of playing at Perth Stadium. Smith anticipates different conditions as the team prepares for the final at Lord's.


Transition to Opening Role and Recent Challenges

Following a stunning century at Lord's during the 2023 Ashes, Smith faced a 23-inning wait for his next century, leading to calls for his exclusion from the team. This period marked the longest century drought of his Test career.


Part of this struggle stemmed from his transition to the opening position after David Warner's retirement, where he had mixed results. However, moving down the batting order liberated him, resulting in four centuries in eight innings against India and Sri Lanka.


Reflections on Past Performances

Smith reflected on his performance during the Adelaide Test against India last year, where he scored only two runs before being dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah. He acknowledged feeling scrutiny during that time.


"I have been part of the team for a while and haven't felt much pressure, except perhaps after Adelaide. That might have fueled my desire to perform well in Brisbane," he shared.


Evolving Training Philosophy

Smith has adopted a more measured approach to training, influenced by discussions with Michael Hussey. He emphasized the importance of mental readiness for crucial moments in matches.


"As we age, the mental aspect can become more challenging. It's essential to be in the right mindset to bat for extended periods. Sometimes, I may misjudge the balance, but when I'm hitting well, I trust my preparation will pay off in the middle," he concluded.


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