![\"Steve](\"https:\/\/indiansportsnews.co.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Steve-Smith-ICC.jpg\")
Steve Smith insists he\u2019s hungrier than ever after he slammed his first century since returning to the sport.<\/p>\nSteve Smith insists he\u2019s hungrier than ever after he slammed his first century since returning to the sport.<\/p>\n
The former Australian captain seems to back to his best, with his side\u2019s opening match of the ICC Men\u2019s Cricket World Cup against Afghanistan just one week away.<\/p>\n
He hit 116 off 102 balls in a trademark classy innings as Australia beat world number one side England by 12 runs in Southampton.<\/p>\n
It was the fourth time in as many matches that he has passed fifty, following on from unbeaten scores of 89 and 91 and 76 in Australia\u2019s last three warm-up games.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not reading too much into it, they\u2019re just practice games at the moment, hopefully I can keep this form for the real stuff and we\u2019ll make a judgment then,\u201d said Smith.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot too many players have a year out of the game. Having performed at a high level for four to five years to have a year away has helped freshen me up and come back hungrier than ever. I\u2019ve been able to work on a few different things and get fitter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just trying to keep my head down and just do my job. Fortunately I was able to score a few runs and more importantly spend some time in the middle before our first game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m feeling calm at the crease and hitting the right balls to the boundary. Anytime you make a hundred for Australia it\u2019s a real honour and great to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also ominous for Australia\u2019s rivals that Smith is not even at full fitness, as he continues his recovery from elbow surgery earlier this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s coming along pretty well but I haven\u2019t been able to really test it yet throwing-wise,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d say I\u2019m probably at about 80 per cent throwing-wise. Hopefully it can progress a little bit further before the first game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be ready to if I\u2019m called upon. We\u2019ll see how we go. The ball\u2019s actually coming out pretty well so if needed then I\u2019m available to bowl.\u201d<\/p>\n
This was not a full international and England played 15 players due to injuries, including fielding coach Paul Collingwood, who celebrates his 43rd birthday tomorrow.<\/p>\n
But claiming the scalp of their old enemy – and the world\u2019s number one ODI team – won\u2019t harm confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe spoke at the start of the day about England being the number one side in the world. Their one-day cricket has been phenomenal the past couple of years, they’re playing some terrific cricket,\u201d added Smith.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want to try and keep that winning feeling going \u2013 it’s a habit. Whilst it is a practice match, it is good over the line against the number one side in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Courtesy: www.icc-cricket.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Steve Smith insists he\u2019s hungrier than ever after he slammed his first century since returning to the sport.<\/p>\n
The former Australian captain seems to back to his best, with his side\u2019s opening match of the ICC Men\u2019s Cricket World Cup against Afghanistan just one week away.<\/p>\n
He hit 116 off 102 balls in a trademark classy innings as Australia beat world number one side England by 12 runs in Southampton.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36706,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cricket-cricket"],"yoast_head":"\n