On November 16 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Steve Smith registered his lowest score in an ODI World Cup knockout game. Smith played a patient knock of 30 off 62 balls before he went for an unnecessary shot against Gerald Coetzee and lost his wicket. While Smith’s dismissal did not have an impact on the World Cup 2023 semifinal outcome, it made the dugout nervous. Ahead of World Cup 2023 final, Smith while speaking to the broadcasters revealed Australia’s X-factor who can take the game away from in-form India. Smith backed Travis Head to come out all guns blazing against India’s pace trio.
"The way he is batting, he is playing very aggressively. If he gets away from you and bats significant time, he is going to post a big score. So fingers crossed, he can get us to another good start in a couple of day's time," Smith said.
Head was not a part of Australia's playing XI in the league stage clash against India due to an injury. Smith also lauded Head for taking a couple of wickets which helped in keeping South Africa’s score below par.
"It's a kind of pitch that suited his bowling. He got a couple to skid on and couple to really turn. He got a couple of pretty crucial wickets. Klaasen was looking nice again, we knew how dangerous he could be. Jansen, the first ball, was a pretty big wicket as well. It was a handy couple of wickets from him,” the former Australian skipper said.
Five-time World Cup champions Australia will play their eighth World Cup final. Having beaten India in World Test Championship 2021-23 final, Smith believes that he is up for the challenge in front of a jam-packed crowd at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
"Good question! They are playing really good cricket. I don't think they have lost a game in this World Cup. They are playing really well, they are going to be playing in front of 130,000 screaming fans. Yeah, it's going to be a great atmosphere, I am looking forward to it," the 34-year-old said.
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