After Australia's 275-run win over England on Monday, stand-in captain Steve Smith congratulated his team, saying they played well and were in charge of the game after the first day of the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval.
He responded by saying that his team stayed calm when the opponents put up a fight because they knew a couple of nice balls would be enough to win. On day five, Australia took the final six wickets to secure a stunning victory and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
"I wasn't worried I thought Jos (Buttler) played very well, and he played almost 200 balls, so he and Woakes and Robbo offered a great fight (Robinson). We needed to maintain our discipline since winning would need a few good balls and a few wickets. After the first day, the teammates played well and controlled the game, so I enjoyed leadership "Smith stated at the post-match awards ceremony.
In the absence of top pace bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, Smith specifically out left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc for his performance in the Adelaide Test. "It was set up by Davey (Warner) and Marnus' partnership so that we could manage the game. Starc needs more attention for bowling as well as he had in a long time.
On the 5Th Day, Smith said that they were trying to limit all-rounder Cameron Green's bowling effort. "Cam Green shouldn't bowl at all today, as per the doctors in there, since his effort needs to be controlled.
The 32-year-old ended by saying he will not really know if Hazlewood has recovered from the side strain he had in the first Test in Brisbane, but he trusts opener Marcus Harris will do well in Melbourne. "I don't know about Josh Hazlewood's (availability for the next game), but Harris is batting good in the net, so he needs to trust the process and not overthink it."