As Australia gear up to take on South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final, beginning June 11 at Lord's, their most meticulous batter Steve Smith is feeling like himself again. Maybe even better.
Smith last played a match in March and following the Champions Trophy 2025, he announced his retirement from the ODI format. As he did not get picked for the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025), it gave him a breather with no matches in his schedule.
During the break, he was unlike himself. No nets back home, no bat in hand every second day. In fact, Steve Smith made a conscious call to put cricket on pause. For someone who is known to shadow practice on the night before the match day, this was different.
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Also read: Steve Smith Announces ODI Retirement Following Australia’s Champions Trophy 2025 Exit
"Best I’ve Felt Since 2014" - Steve Smith Reloaded Ahead of WTC Final
After announcing his ODI retirement, Smith used the break to recharge both mentally and physically. Rather than diving straight back into the action, the Australian stalwart chose to stay away from cricket and spent his time in New York.
"I’d normally have a bat laying around the house, doing a bit of shadow batting without even realising. But I made a decision to put it away. I didn’t touch a bat until our first hit here," Smith said as quoted.
Australia’s first training session ahead of the WTC final was held in London, and for Smith, the feel of the bat came back almost instantly.
"My first hit felt strangely good. Usually it goes: good, awful, then I find rhythm. But both sessions were really solid. Everything just clicked into place," he added.
Smith said he is feeling physically refreshed, even drawing comparisons to how he felt during the 2014 season.
"I feel as strong as I’ve been since maybe 2014. My hips are in great shape, I’m getting lower – that’ll help in the slips too. It’s probably the best I’ve felt physically in years."
Though there has been chatter around Smith opening the innings in Test cricket, especially with David Warner now retired, the right-hander admitted that his short stint at the top was not particularly successful, but he is open to challenges.
"I still feel like I could open. But I didn’t do it fabulously in the four games I had. These days, anyone in the top four could be in inside an over anyway," Smith mentioned.
Smith also reflected on his vast experience and the rhythm that years of batting have ingrained in him.
"I’ve hit so many balls over my career. It’s like riding a bike, I suppose. And right now, the wheels are turning smoothly," the 36-year-old asserted.
There is a big match ahead. A quick, fiery South African bowling unit. A final with real weight. And a player who knows what it takes to deliver when it counts. Smith may not say it out loud, but he seems ready.
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Steve Smith’s Test Numbers in England
Defending champions Australia enter the Lord’s showdown as slight favourites, not just because of their recent form, but also thanks to the experience and pedigree of players like Smith. In Tests played in England, Smith has an average of 55. And when it comes to the Home of Cricket, that number climbs even higher. At Lord’s alone, he averages 58.33.
In the last WTC final, he smashed a century at The Oval against India, a knock that reminded everyone of his big-match temperament.
Also read: WTC 2025 Final: All you need to know about South Africa vs Australia WTC Final at Lord's
