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Smith fine with batting despite tough ODIs

Australia captain Steve Smith admits he would have liked more runs during the one-day international series loss to India.

Steve Smith is happy with his batting despite his performances during the one-day international series loss to India falling short of his lofty expectations.

The Australian skipper's series average of 28.4 was well below his career ODI mark of 43.33.

Smith got 59 in Kolkata and 63 in Indore in losing causes, but believes he missed chances to get three figures.

"I'd love to have scored a lot more runs," Smith said.

"I've got myself in on a few occasions and not gone on to get the big runs that I previously have been.

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He got out for one, three and sixteen in Chennai, Bangalore and Nagpur respectively.

The 28-year-old will be eager to play himself into form ahead of the Ashes with his most recent Test series yielding one half-century from four innings against Bangladesh.

"As the leader of the team it's been disappointing but I guess sometimes that's cricket," Smith said.

"You have those periods where you're not getting the scores you like."

After feeling shaky with bat in hand early in tour, Smith believes he has found a groove ahead of Saturday's first of three T20 internationals.

"I wasn't feeling great at the start of the series to be honest," Smith said.

"I wasn't holding the bat the way I would have liked to. I had a few issues there that I was working on.

"I think I've slowly found a nice tempo which I'm after."

Smith is not alone in lacking consistency, with No. 4 Travis Head failing to get a big score, while openers David Warner and Aaron Finch were Australia's best-performed batsmen, both getting centuries.

In Australia's sole win for the series the opening pair put on 231 as Australia posted 334.

"The top four need to stand up and really take control," Smith said.

"We did it in a couple of games, Bangalore in particular.

"But we're not doing it consistently enough and giving ourselves the chance to really good hard at the back end of a game and getting the partnerships in the middle."


2 min read

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Source: AAP



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