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'I Was Probably Below My Standards..'- Steve Smith On Underwhelming Ashes & WC Campaign

image-lq3a33okSteve Smith averages 43.16 from last 20 Test innings (Twitter)

Steve Smith opened up on his ongoing career dip as the modern-day Aussie legend continues to endure a rare slump in Test cricket for the past 12 months, including critical trips to India and England. 

Heading into the next series at home against Pakistan, which starts off the 2023-24 summer, the former Australia captain admitted he hasn't been at his best but also opted not to panic or lose confidence about his game, stating he doesn't need to reinvent the wheel.

Smith has averaged 43.16 over 20 innings in Tests for the year, with three centuries under his belt. Any other player would be delighted with those numbers, but for a player used to storming past 60 as his average for the best part of an illustrious career, Smith realises he has left quite a few runs in the middle. 

He also underwent a subpar ICC World Cup 2023. While the Aussies eventually came out triumphant to hold their sixth One-Day crown, Smith was one of their weaker performers and made only 302 runs in his ten innings on high-scoring surfaces at an average of 33.55 with just two fifty-plus scores. 

Steve Smith Opens Up On Rare Slump 

"I don't have to reinvent the wheel. I've performed at a high standard for a long period of time. (But) you're right - I was probably below my standards of what I want," Smith was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.  

"For me, it's about not overthinking it, not overplaying too much, not changing too much. Just going out and trusting what I do and doing it for longer periods of time, hopefully to get the big runs and hopefully help our team have success."

Smith said an early ouster from the T20I series against India immediately after the World Cup gave him an extra few days to recharge his batteries ahead of the home summer, and he is hoping for a fresh beginning via Pakistan Tests. 

"It's been a busy, busy year. I certainly needed a little break after the World Cup. It was good to have a week at home, and relax and refresh the mind and body as much as possible to get ready for this series."

"But now I feel like I'm in a good place. I think the boys feel like they're in a good place and are keen to get out and play some red-ball cricket again," he added.