Australia coach Justin Langer admits Steve Smith looks a bit rusty in the lead-up to tonight’s third and final ODI against England.
The Aussies head into the deciding clash in Manchester with their number one batsman still no certainty to play.
Smith has missed the last two ODIs after he was struck on the side of the helmet by a thrown ball during a net session at Old Trafford and Langer says he is unsure if the superstar will take his place in the middle.
“In terms of Smithy, he had a hit today. He still looks a bit rusty to be honest,” he said on SEN Breakfast with Pat and Heals.
“We’ll give him until the last moment to play but I’m not as confident now as I was 24 hours ago.”
Despite the potential absence of Smith, Langer highlighted the importance of playing well and beating England in the three-game series having lost the earlier T20 series.
“It actually feels like the night before a Grand Final,” he added.
“It’s really different. When you’re playing international cricket in front of no crowds, and I say it as it is, we don’t have to listen to the English crowds like we did all of last summer.
“The World Cup and The Ashes, I’ve never heard so much rubbish.
“It feels like the night before a Grand Final for so many reasons. It’s an important game and we all understand and respect the rivalry between Australia and England. It’s been incredible cricket so far.
“To be honest we’ve played some great cricket, we’ve just missed a few crunch moments. But at one-all in the series, it’s been a really positive thing.”
Langer is acutely aware how much ability Chris Silverwood’s side possesses so he knows that his players simply must step up if they are to claim the series.
“England are a very good team and I hate to admit that but they really are, in white-ball cricket particularly,” he said further.
“We are going to have to be at our very best. We’ve been very, very good but it would be nice to be great and win this series after losing the T20 series (which) we look back on with some regret at some missed opportunities.”
In game two last Sunday, the Aussies were in a strong position at 3/144 in response to England’s 9/231 before collapsing to be all out for 207, allowing the English to tie the series at 1-1.
Listen to Pat and Heals' full chat with Langer below: