Cummins Backs Stave Smith To Find Form 3rd Test: Australian Cricket Team captain Pat Cummins believes that star batter Steve Smith will find form in the 3rd Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.
We are now two Tests deep in the five-match Australia vs India series. The first match in Perth saw the Indian Cricket Team dominate the Aussies with the ball, while incumbent captain Jasprit Bumrah gave a Player of the Match performance. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli scored centuries as India won the match by 295 runs.
The script flipped in the second match in Adelaide. Now it was the home side’s turn to dominate with the ball. Fantastic performances by Mitchell Starc and Cummins, coupled with a ton by Travis Head, resulted in a 10-wicket win for Australia.
Check Out: Cummins Backs Stave Smith To Find Form 3rd Test
The series now stands at a critical juncture. We have now seen very different outcomes and performances in the two games. But one man has been consistently poor in this series, and that is Steve Smith.
One of the greatest red-ball cricketers of the 21st century, the now 35-year-old has been struggling with his form for some time. While he scored 9704 runs in 111 Tests with an average of 56.09, he has only scored 232 runs in seven matches in 2024 with an average of 23.20.
As Cummins backs Stave Smith to find form 3rd test, In the two matches against India, Smith scored 0, 17, and 2 runs in three innings. His slump in the middle order is a major reason for Australia’s batting woes in this series and Test cricket as a whole.
Check Out: Cummins Backs Stave Smith To Find Form 3rd Test
Cummins Backs Stave Smith To Find Form 3rd Test
However, captain Cummins believes that a turnaround for Smith is around the corner. While discussing the upcoming third match in Brisbane, the lanky pacer discussed how, despite his recent form, the statistics of Steve Smith, coupled with how he is looking in the nets, would suggest that he will be returning to form in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“You look at his record; stats would suggest (runs) are not far around the corner. In particular this year, he’s looking fantastic in the nets, just looking really sharp, looking like he’s got plenty of time. doing all the right things like he always does,” he said.
Smith enjoys an excellent record against India. In the 21 Tests against the Men in Blue, he has scored 2061 runs with an average of 60.61, which includes nine 100s.
The third India vs Australia Test match will be played at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14. There would be two more matches in this series after that, to be played in Melbourne and Sydney, respectively.
India needs to avoid another loss and win this series convincingly if they are to qualify for the World Test Championship final in June 2025 without outside factors affecting their probabilities.
Check Out: Cummins Backs Stave Smith To Find Form 3rd Test
Get the Latest Cricket Updates at IceCric.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for Live Updates – Facebook & Instagram.
