Australian cricket star Steve Smith has emphasized that the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy remains a top priority for his team as they gear up for a two-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.
The 35-year-old, who is expected to lead the side in the absence of key players due to injuries, reaffirmed that while the immediate focus is on the Sri Lanka series, the team is also strategizing for the Champions Trophy.
Champions Trophy in Focus
“I’d be lying if I said the Champions Trophy wasn’t on our minds. It’s a major ICC event, and we want to ensure we are in top form heading into the tournament,” Smith stated before the ODI series.
“That being said, we are fully committed to finishing this series strong. Every game matters, and we want to maintain our momentum leading up to the Champions Trophy.”
Successful UAE Camp Boosts Australia’s Confidence
Smith credited Australia’s recent training camp in the UAE as a crucial element in their preparations. The intense sessions played a vital role in their 2-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka, marking their first Test series win in the country in 14 years.
“It was an extremely beneficial camp,” Smith noted. “We practiced on challenging wickets, which helped our batters develop effective strategies for these conditions. The spinners worked on varying their pace, while the seamers fine-tuned their reverse swing. We aim to bring all these learnings into this series and perform at our best.”
Adapting to the ODI Format
With a short turnaround between the Test and ODI series, Smith acknowledged the importance of adapting quickly to the 50-over format.
“Some of our players have been involved in the Big Bash League, so they’ve had recent white-ball experience. For those coming from Test cricket, it’s about adjusting to the pace of ODIs. I believe most of our players will transition smoothly over the next two games.”
Smith Managing Elbow Injury
Smith is also keeping a close eye on his right elbow, which he aggravated while fielding on the final day of the second Test. Initially injured during the Big Bash, he has been carefully monitoring his recovery.
“My throwing will be restricted for a while, but it’s feeling better than when I first injured it. Fortunately, it won’t affect my batting—just my throwing,” he explained.
Australia’s Upcoming Fixtures
Australia will play two ODIs against Sri Lanka on February 12 and 14, before kicking off their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against England in Lahore on February 22.