Although Australia registered a 4-0 win over England in the Ashes Test series, Steve Smith’s performance is still under scrutiny. Smith scored a total of 244 runs in five Tests at an average of 30.40, which is nowhere near his standards and records. The batsman’s overall average has also dropped below 60 for the first time since 2017. This is the leanest patch for Smith since coming into the Test arena. However, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting is confident that Smith will be back in his form after the Ashes series.
Due to his exceptional innings in the last Ashes series, Smith was expected to be the toughest batsman to dismiss for England. But this was not the case in the recently concluded series. Although the right-handed batsman scored a few innings in the 90s, his willow did not score big hundreds.
Speaking to cricket.com.au, Pointing mentioned that Smith has set high standards, and cannot be raised for long. “For a period of three to four years, where they took the batting to another level, to try and maintain that for four or five or six years—no one has done that, and probably no one ever will. . . . ” he said pointing out. He said an average of 30 was not that bad to underline, despite the fact that he is out of form. Pointing also pointed out how Smith can have an impact on a team’s performance when he is in form.
Ponting is confident that Smith will analyze his game to see what has gone wrong so far, and hopes that like all the best players, he will find the answer. The former Australia captain said it would not take long for Smith to make a comeback given his level of consistency.
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