"I could go out and play a Test match tomorrow" - Steve Smith after AUS vs PAK 2024 1st ODI

Star Australian batter Steve Smith has suggested that he is ready for the Test series against India and is ready to play a red-ball game even tomorrow if contested. The 35-year-old reflected that he had a good week of training and came early to hit some balls ahead of the first ODI against Pakistan in Melbourne.

With the high-voltage five-Test series set to begin on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth, the veteran batter's role will be critical as Australia hope to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The hosts are under pressure as India have won in Australia on the last two occasions.

Speaking to SEN Radio following the first ODI against Pakistan, Smith stated (via India Today):

"I'm ready. I'm ready now. Yeah, I could go out and play a Test match tomorrow, so I feel like I'm in a good place. I've had a really good week of training, came down here early and had a few hits. And I was just trying to get a few things right that I felt like I didn't quite have in sync. And it all just clicked. And I feel like I'm in a good place now."

The New South Wales cricketer scored a crucial 44 in a low-scoring thriller against Pakistan in the first of the three ODIs in Melbourne on Monday (November 4). With Australia chasing 204, the tourists had them 139/6 at one stage but Pat Cummins steered them home with two wickets to spare.

"I feel like I'm in a nice place and moving really well" - Steve Smith

Smith further stated that he was happy with how things went in the first ODI but was keen to make it a big one. He added:

"My last week in preparation has been really good. I feel like I'm in a nice place and moving really well, I'm really balanced at the crease, and I feel like my bat's coming down a nice plane. So I was happy with the way about it tonight. It would be nice to have been out there a little bit longer."

Australia and Pakistan will square off in the second ODI on Friday (November 8) in Melbourne.