Steven Smith: Australia will have to be at their best to beat Pakistan

Karachi: Australian skipper Steven Smith has admitted his newly-energised side need to work harder and have to be at their absolute best to overcome Pakistan in the three-match Test series beginning on December 15 at the Gabba. “Pakistan have been playing some good cricket, [they have] some quality players and we will have to be at our best to get on top of them as well,” the Express Tribune quoted Smith as saying. Recently, Australia ended their five-Test losing streak with a comfortable seven-wicket win over South Africa in the day-night match at the Adelaide Oval. The Steve Smith-led side, however, lost the three-match Test series against South Africa  1-2 after losing their first two games, including a massive defeat by an innings and 80 runs in Hobart that prompted the national selectors to make six changes to the side. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs Australia, 1st Test at Brisbane

Australia had brought in three batting debutants namely Matthew Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson into the squad, and the results were visibly seen in the Adelaide Test. “We can grow on what we’ve done in this Test match. It’s been a great start for a young group that have come together,” he said. Smith, who admitted that his young side have made a great start, believes the upcoming series would provide them with great opportunity to know each other and improve. Australia vs South Africa, 3rd Test: Steven Smith all praise for new faces

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“You don’t grow overnight. I think it’s a good opportunity for this side to play a little bit together and continue to improve and know each others’ games, get better as a team. It was a great start, but there’s still plenty of work to do,” Smith insisted. The Australian skipper further said the injection of new players have energised the team after the Hobart nightmare.

“I felt a sort of a switch straight away in energy and presence around the group. Everything seemed to be running smoothly and when we got our chance to get out on the field we had good energy and presence about ourselves,” Smith said. “That helps in the field as well, as we were able to take some pretty good catches in this Test,” he added. The first Test at the Gabba would be followed by matches at the MCG and SCG from December 26 and January 3, respectively.