The Ashes 2013: Century came out of pressure, accepts Steve Smith

Steven Smith

Steve Smith, who hit an unbeaten 138 on the second day of the fifth Ashes Test at Kia Oval, accepted that he was under pressure to perform as his position in the team would have been uncertain in case he had failed to perform and score runs, reports Cricbuzz.

Although England have already sealed the Ashes series with a 3-0 scoreline, Shane Watson and Smith took it as an opportunity to prove themselves and reserve their positions for the upcoming Ashes back home in winter later this year.

The playing conditions on the second day were not as conducive to bat as the ball swung much more than it had on day one. But the Aussie batsman managed to play some extraordinary shots and felt that his century came at the right time.

“I probably was under a bit of pressure,” he said.

“But I was trying to put it in the back of my mind and play the way I always play.

“I didn’t think too much about it and just tried to go out and get runs and it was nice to form a partnership with Watto [Watson] yesterday, he batted superbly and was able to put us in a good position.”

Smith made his century in style, hitting Jonathan Trott for a six, who was chosen to bowl by skipper Alastair Cook even after having five strong bowlers in the team.

“I probably wouldn’t have played quite the same shot if it was someone else bowling,” he said.

“Jonathan Trott is obviously a part-timer who doesn’t bowl too often and I said to Hadds [Brad Haddin] between overs about hitting him over his head and he just told me to keep a clear mind and if it is there go for it. It was there and I managed to get it away.

“It wasn’t Jimmy Anderson or Stuart Broad so it was a good chance I saw to get it out of the way and it came off in the end.”

Earlier this year too, Smith had played a couple of good knocks. His previous best before this century came against India at Mohali earlier this year when he scored 92.

He had the confidence in himself that the century was not too far from his reach.

Smith further said, “I didn’t think it was far away,”

“Obviously it was disappointing to get out for 89 at Old Trafford to a pretty silly shot but I feel like I have been hitting the ball really well and I guess my patience has been pretty good. I hoped it wasn’t too far off and today was the day.

“I think that some chances definitely slipped – I got a couple of 50s when I was going pretty well and those are the ones you have to try and convert and make big scores, those are the ones that win the games for your team.

“I feel like I’m improving, my mindset is good and I’m getting better mentally so it is all about improving and just trying to become a better player every day.”