Last time we got a green-top (to practice on), it was irrelevant: Steve Smith on BGT

Smith scored 3 centuries on his last India tour [Associated Press]

Much has been made about Australia opting not to play any warm-up match ahead of the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 next month. While coach Andrew McDonald has expressed no concerns, several former players have found it worrying given the challenges Indian conditions will confront.

However, batting maestro Steve Smith ahead of their flight to Bangalore, justified a lack of practice match, saying that the last time they were offered a green track instead of a spinning pitch.

Smith slammed 499 runs, including three centuries during his last India tour, which came back in 2017.  As per Indian Express, the 33-year-old also refrained from calling India, Australia's 'Final Frontier' unlike former captain Steve Waugh.

Here's what Smith said

“The last time we went I’m pretty sure we got served up a green-top (to practice on) and it was sort of irrelevant. We’re better off having our own nets and getting spinners in and bowling as much as they can.We’ll wait and see when we hit the ground. I think we’ve made the right decision to not play a tour match,

It’s certainly huge. I don’t know if it’s the final frontier. India and England – our two opponents over the next six months – are probably our biggest as an Australian Test cricketer,"

The Australian Test squad led by Pat Cummins will hold a camp in Alur, before moving to Nagpur for the first Test commencing February 9. 

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