So focused was Steve Smith to get into the nets and prepare the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval he breezed past an important part of Australia’s practice.
Travis Head, speaking on the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast, jokingly called Smith a “dog” for the snub, but went on to praise the former skipper.
“(Smith) trained really well last week and he’d be disappointed he didn’t go on with the start he had in the first innings,” Head said.
“He’s got a seriously massive love affair with The Oval.
“He walked past the other day and said he felt he was there or there abouts and normally when he says that he doesn’t miss out, he doesn’t say that all the time.
“But he gave us a wink last week, so he wouldn’t have been too pleased to be missing out on the runs.
“But he goes to a place this week where he’s played some unbelievable Test cricket, some unbelievable Test innings and we look forward to him hopefully pitching his tent out there and spending as much time as possible out there.”
In four Tests at The Oval, Smith averages 91 with three centuries.
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