Adelaide, Feb 9 (IANS) Young Australian batsman Steven Smith said Monday he is willing to bat at any position for the team in the World Cup.
Questions have risen regarding the in-form batsman's ideal batting position, particularly with captain Michael Clarke batting at number four and all-rounder Shane Watson occupying the No.3 spot.
Smith is averaging 74.44 in 12 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) since Oct 1 last year, and his three career hundreds have all come in that period, all of them were scored at No.3 or No.4.
However, the return of Watson at No.3 takes Smith away from his preferred slot. But Smith was unperturbed as to his batting position.
“I’m not too bothered where I’m batting,” Smith was quoted as saying by news.com.au.
“I just have to keep doing what I’m doing and that’s scoring runs wherever I’m batting. I’m happy to bat wherever.”
Smith also said the return of Clarke from injury will lift the morale of the home side, widely tipped as one of the top contenders to win the tournament beginning Feb 14.
“Absolutely. He’s a terrific player and he’s great to have around the group. He's tactically very good as a captain and his batting is outstanding as well,” Smith said.
“It’s going to be great to have him back in the side. If he has a hit-out in the next couple of days, we’ll see how goes from there.”
Smith expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing a World Cup in front of the home fans.
“Not too many nerves. More excitement,” he said.
“I’m sure the fans are going to flock to our first game here on Saturday against England our old rivals.”
Australia thrashed India by 106 runs Sunday in a warm-up match here. They begin their Cup campaign against England Feb 14 in Melbourne.
Death sentence against law, Yaqub Memon to SC
New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) Yaqub Abdul Razak Memon, the mastermind of the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the death sentence given to him was against the
Sanjay Raut Arrest: The 'Bhonpu' that rings every morning went inside, CM Shinde's big attack on Sanjay Raut
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has taken a jibe at the arrest of Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. Eknath Shinde has said that now every morning at eight o'clock the siren has gone
SAFF: India's Jackson Singh used Manipur's flag to celebrate becoming champion
Team India has won the title of the SAFF Championship. India defeated Kuwait 5-4 in the penalty shootout in the final played at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The score was tied at
Ukraine crisis: Britain continues to crack down on Russian nobles, who are Alisher Usmanov and Igor Shuvalov who were banned?
Russia's aggressive attack on Ukraine continues. Russian President Vladimir Putin's army launched a missile attack near Ukraine's Zaporizhia Nuclear Plant, after which the plant caught fire. Russian
Takeshi's Castle Trailer: Takeshi's Castle trailer released, could Bhuvan Bam replace Javed Jaffrey by becoming Titu Mama?
The Japanese game show 'Takeshi Castle' remains in the news for its new season. The show gained immense popularity in India also. At the same time, now 'Takeshi Castle' is making a comeback once again
Allocation for women and child development ministry slashed
New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) The allocation of the women and child development ministry has been slashed by 44 percent in the budget for 2015-16 presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Lok
Pakistan: Suicide blast in Peshawar mosque, at least 30 killed; 50 injured
A man blew himself up during Friday prayers at a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan. At least 30 people have died in this suicide blast. While more than 50 have been injured. The injured were taken to Lady
Congress too used Vajpayee's Policies, says Modi
New Delhi, March 3 (IANS) Accused of copying the UPA government's polices, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday listed the initiatives of the Vajpayee government that the Congress pursued from
Explained: Where does virus go from here?
रविवार को, भारत में कोरोनावायरस से संक्रमित लोगों की संख्या 1,000 का आंकड़ा
Ireland elect to bat against India
Hamilton, March 10 (IANS) Ireland captain William Porterfield won the toss and elected to bat first against India in their cricket World Cup Pool B clash at the Seddon Park here on Tuesday.India