Smith shines as Aussies undergo lengthy session ahead of WTC25 Final
Australia had their first training session together ahead of next week's World Test Championship Final against South Africa.
By Jonathan Healy, in London
The majority of Australia's squad for next week's ICC World Test Championship Final enjoyed their first training session together in Beckenham on Wednesday.
Twelve of Australia's 15-player squad were greeted with overcast conditions at the picturesque venue in the south of London, with star batter Travis Head and IPL duo Josh Hazlewood and Josh Inglis the notable absentees.
Seamers Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and travelling reserve Brendan Doggett bowled tirelessly throughout the lengthy three-and-a-half hour session, while the Aussies also utilised a host of local bowlers - including a tall left-arm seamer in a similar ilk to South Africa quick Marco Jansen.
It should be no surprise to hear that experienced duo Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne enjoyed plenty of time out in the middle in their first practice session since arriving in the United Kingdom, with openers Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas also seen batting in tandem at times in the three nets in the middle of the ground used by county side Kent.
Konstas and Labuschange both faced their fair share of deliveries during the training session as question marks still remain on who will partner Khawaja at the top of Australia's batting order ahead of the Test.
Smith, who skipper Pat Cummins confirmed would bat at No.4 in the Ultimate Test earlier this week, spoke briefly with ICC Digital at the end of the training session and said it great to have the majority of the squad assembled in London ahead of the clash against the Proteas that commences at Lord's on June 11.
"I am excited to be back in the UK (United Kingdom) for another World Test Championship Final," Smith said.
"It is great to be here and I love playing cricket in England.
"It's a little bit fresh today and there is a little bit of wind around, but it's nice to start our preparation and get a bit of rhythm, hit quite a few balls and we are looking forward to Lord's now."
Steve Smith ton and catching crucial to Australia's triumph - Highlights | WTC23 Final
Australia batter Steve Smith scored a century in the first innings and backed it up in the field at the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023
There's a good reason Smith is looking forward to the one-off contest at Lord's, with the experienced right-hander having enjoyed his time at the iconic north London venue in recent times having scored his second highest Test score (215) at the ground in 2015 and one of his 36 Test centuries at his most recent match on his last visit in 2023.
It's no surprise that Australia won both those matches that Smith reached triple figures in and you have to go back to 2013 to find the last time Smith's side lost at the venue in the longest format.
"We have got some pretty fond memories at Lord's and personally I have got some fond memories as well, so we are looking forward to getting started," Smith added.
"South Africa are a good side, so it should be a belter of a game and hopefully we can get another Test Championship Final (win) under our belt."