As an English arch-enemy offered tips to South Africa on how to dethrone Australia in the World Test Championship decider, Steve Smith declared he had no concerns about whether the Aussies will cop the wrath of MCC members at Lord’s.
Stuart Broad, a pantomime villain against Australia for almost two decades in Ashes series, has been called on by South Africa to offer advice to their pace-laden attack for the final.
He spoke at length to star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, among other South African quicks, at Lord’s on Monday, with Proteas coach Shukri Conrad delighted with his assistance.
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Broad collected the wicket of Australia’s in-form wicketkeeper Alex Carey with his last ball in the contentious Ashes series of 2023 and claimed 153 Aussie scalps in his career.
“It was really enlightening, really casual, and everybody walked away thinking, ‘that was great’, Broady included,” Conrad told reporters.
As Broad was offering his tips of the trade, Smith said he did not really care how the Australians were treated by the Marylebone Cricket Club Members after the combustible last day at Lord’s in 2023.
In a heated finale to the infamous Test, some MCC Members became irate with the Australians after Carey stumped his counterpart Jonny Bairstow when he carelessly left the crease during England’s daring but fruitless last day run chase spearheaded by Ben Stokes.
One member was expelled and two others suspended in the aftermath of an extraordinary day at the home of cricket in England.
Quizzed about what he expected when the match begins on Wednesday, the superstar Australian batter responded that he was “unsure, and I’m actually not fussed either way”.
Of more concern is the pace attack featuring Rabada and talents including Marco Jansen, who has taken 73 wickets at an average of 21.76 in 17 Tests to date.
While Australia is blessed with a vaunted attack led by skipper Pat Cummins, the South Africans believe Rabada is clearly the world’s premier paceman.
David Bedingham is among the Proteas looking forward to watching Rabada, the “leader of our attack”, in action on the unique Lord’s wicket.
“I genuinely think he’s the best bowler in the world,” he told the ICC website.
“He’s played here, he’s taken wickets here before, so him going well will go a long way to us winning the whole thing. He is an amazing person … and he makes our jobs a lot easier.”
With Broad in the South African corner, Smith said the Aussies will be treating the opposition attack with respect. But he feels content with his leaner preparation for the WTC final.
“Us batters have our work cut out. They are a good side (and) they are here for a reason. South Africa have been a good cricket side for a long time,” he said.
“I have had a good break, had a couple of months off, and had a first hit the other day, and it has clicked into place.
“(Lord’s) is a nice place to bat (and) I have had some success (here). It takes time to get used to the slope, but you get value for shots, especially hitting down the hill.
“It can be nice to hit on. It can be tricky when it moves around, (but) batting is about playing what is in front of you.”
Smith, who has a Test average of 55 in England, made 121 against India in the last WTC Final at The Oval in 2023, a match the Australians won in convincing fashion.
The 36-year-old followed that with a century in the Test at Lord’s before an extended drought raised questions about his tenure in the Australian team.
He quashed those concerns with a dazzling home series against India and, after Australia secured a 2-0 away series win against Sri Lanka, headed to New York for a decent break.
Twice a winner of the Compton-Miller Medal as Australia’s best player in an Ashes series, Smith said the Aussie top order have settled in well since arriving in London last week.
“We have been training really well (for) the last week or so. The batters feel like they are in a good place. Now we will go out and play,” he said.
“We have very fond memories of the World Test Championship final from down the road at The Oval. Coming to Lord’s, it’s a place where we have traditionally played good cricket, so we are excited about the prospect of facing South Africa.
“The Dukes ball is a bit different to what we have with our home and away games most of the time, but we are excited about this contest.”
After a cold spell, the weather in London has turned and warm conditions are expected to dry the pitch out over the next 36 hours leading into the decider beginning on Wednesday.
With the temperature predicted to peak at 27C on Saturday, Smith said the Australians expect the Lord’s pitch will be conducive to spin.
This will bring champion off-spinner Nathan Lyon and potent part-time Travis Head into the fray should Smith’s reading off the pitch prove accurate as the Test progresses.
“I think spin will play a big part, particularly as the game wears on,” he said.
“We’ve only been here a week, but I think it’s been a pretty dry start to the season over here. There hasn’t been too much rain, which is rare for England.
“It does look like quite a dry surface and I think the footmarks will definitely come into play as the game wears on.”
Aussies begin WTC Final prep | 01:08
While the next Ashes series begins in just over five months time in Perth on November 22, the Australians are firmly focused on defeating South Africa in the WTC decider.
“The Ashes is a big series but you also can’t look too far ahead,” he said.
“You’ve got to keep playing each game as it comes (because) every game is important with the World Test Championship on the line.
“That’s the reason it came in, to make every Test more relevant. We go to the West Indies next week and we’ve got a series there (and) that’ll be the next focus after this game.”