SA expected to have majority of support in WTC final, but Smith not fussed
The last time the Australians played at Lord's a room full of ginned up old fogeys — aka, members of the MCC — forgot they were upstanding gentlemen attached to one of England's most exclusive clubs and turned into yobs.
Screaming 'cheat, cheat, cheat' was the least of what was directed at Australia's players after their wicketkeeper Alex Carey had quite correctly — and abiding with the rules — run out Jonny Bairstow, who'd wandered out of his crease.
This historic venue turned into a zoo that Sunday, hoards of frothing 'gentlemen' in suits and ties revealed their true colours.
Naturally some racist stuff was directed at Usman Khawaja and later two MCC members were suspended and one expelled. Asked what his side could expect from the members for the World Test Championship final, Steve Smith, said: 'I'm not sure, I'm actually not fussed either way.'
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IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Steve Smith expects fierce battle with Proteas pace attack in WTC final
Australia's Steven Smith says they are not underestimating the Proteas ahead of the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord's. Image: HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP Australia batting great Steve Smith is expecting a tough examination from the Proteas' impressive pace attack in this week's World Test Championship final at Lord's. Reigning champions Australia, who beat India in the WTC final in 2023, are favourites against the Proteas in the five-day match, which starts on Wednesday. "South Africa have a particularly good bowling attack led by Kagiso Rabada, his record speaks for itself. Marco Jansen - they are a good side, they are here for a reason," Smith said on Monday. Rabada, 30, has taken 327 wickets at an average of 22 while Jansen, 25, has 73 wickets at 21.76 in his 17 matches. But former Test captain Smith also expects conditions at Lord's to favour spin bowling later in the game, which could work to the advantage of Australia off-break bowler Nathan Lyon. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading "I think spin will play a big part, particularly as the game wears on," Smith added. "We've only been here a week, but I think it's been pretty dry start to the season over here. "There hasn't there been too much rain, which is rare for England. It does look like quite a dry surface and I think the footmarks will definitely come into play as the game wears on." Lord's success Smith has a superb Test record at London's Lord's ground, with 525 runs in five matches, including a double century and a hundred, at an average of 58.33. "I've had a bit of success here," said the 36-year-old. "It takes a bit of time getting used to the slope, one end thinking you are falling over, the other you feel a bit tall. "It's a nice wicket to bat on but if there's a bit of cloud about and the balls swing around, it can get tricky." Several members of the Australia squad have not played much first-class cricket in recent months but Smith was confident they would quickly find their rhythm. "All the batters feel like they're in a good place, so now we're just excited to go out and play," he said. "Lord's is a place we traditionally played pretty good cricket, so we're excited about the prospect of coming up against South Africa." England have repeatedly emphasised how their long-term planning is designed to created capable of winning an Ashes series for the first time in a decade when they tour Australia in 2025/26. But Smith said Australia were fully focused on the task in front of them. "The Ashes is a big series but you can't look too far ahead," said Smith, winner of the Compton-Miller Medal for player of the Ashes series in 2017/18 and 2019.
TimesLIVE
4 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
SA expected to have majority of support in WTC final, but Smith not fussed
The last time the Australians played at Lord's a room full of ginned up old fogeys — aka, members of the MCC — forgot they were upstanding gentlemen attached to one of England's most exclusive clubs and turned into yobs. Screaming 'cheat, cheat, cheat' was the least of what was directed at Australia's players after their wicketkeeper Alex Carey had quite correctly — and abiding with the rules — run out Jonny Bairstow, who'd wandered out of his crease. This historic venue turned into a zoo that Sunday, hoards of frothing 'gentlemen' in suits and ties revealed their true colours. Naturally some racist stuff was directed at Usman Khawaja and later two MCC members were suspended and one expelled. Asked what his side could expect from the members for the World Test Championship final, Steve Smith, said: 'I'm not sure, I'm actually not fussed either way.'
TimesLIVE
5 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Stuart brings Broad insights to Proteas ahead of Lord's finale
Stuart Broad, in Proteas training kit — you'd never have thunk it. Not when he was irritating South African supporters, or dismissing their faves, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, more than any other bowler did with those two. Or sledging Graeme Smith or anyone else for that matter. But there Broad was on a muggy Monday afternoon at Lord's leading the chat in the Proteas bowling unit's traditional circle before training, embracing Dane Paterson, who played at his county Nottinghamshire for a couple of seasons, and talking with Kyle Verreynne, who plays for Nottinghamshire now. Generally he just looked like one of the training staff, which on Monday he was. South Africa are seeking any titbit to try to narrow the huge advantage the Australians have in terms of experience heading into the World Test Championship final that starts at Lord's on Wednesday. A taste of training at the Home of Cricket 🔥💪. We're 2 days away from the #WTC Final, and our Proteas are locked in and ready for the ultimate challenge. 🏏 #WTCFinal #WozaNawe #ProteasWTCFinal — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 9, 2025 At the invitation of Shukri Conrad, Broad on Sunday night shared his wisdom with Proteas coaching staff at dinner. 'The rib-eye was good,' Conrad chirped, 'I didn't consume any of the red wine for obvious reasons.' 'If I didn't call time with him at 10.30pm, I think he would still be there chatting with us. It was enlightening, very casual, everyone walked away from there thinking that was great, Broady included,' said Conrad. Later with the bowlers training on the side of the square, Broad had all the bowlers hanging off his every word, pointing to different areas of the storied old venue, indicating animatedly how a particular batter's balance might be affected when facing at each end because of the slope. The bowling unit is South Africa's strength. But there are many factors to consider when combining that unit for the final. It starts with how many SA will pick — four or as seems likely five, with Wiaan Mulder, offering the extra option because he can swing it. Then there's the conditions; the Lord's pitch according to the Australians is dry and will aid spin. Conrad didn't sound as convinced, but spoke of the importance of playing the spinner. Temba Bavuma reflects on his Test journey 🇿🇦. From the nerves of his debut to the defining moments that have shaped his career, it is a story of growth, resilience, and pride 🏏🔥. #WTCFinal #WozaNawe #ProteasWTCFinal — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 9, 2025 With Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen locked in and Keshav Maharaj having to play because it would be too much of a risk — even for the occasionally eccentric Conrad — not to, it leaves a straight fight between Lungi Ngidi and Paterson for the third front-line seamer. Conrad, who in the past hasn't been afraid of naming his starting team two days before the start of a Test, was tight-lipped on Monday. 'I'm not (in a position to name the side),' he said. Instead he offered a rounded answer about the ball — the Dukes one, used in England and not by either Australia or SA, who use the Kookaburra at home and for international matches in their respective countries — as another important factor to consider in selection. There's the importance of using it well when it's new, then when the lacquer, which is different between the two balls, starts to come off the Dukes, it swings more than the Kookaburra. 'You still need guys who are as effective with that ball when the lacquer comes off and it tends to swing a bit more. The bounce here with the older ball can be inconsistent and slower than what we are accustomed to.' Free State's relegation confirmed after mediation with CSA Free State will play in Division Two next season after a mediation process with Cricket SA ended on Wednesday night, with the union not incurring any ... Sport 3 days ago If swing is the dominant factor for SA's thinking, then Paterson, who's spent the last two months playing for Middlesex — making Lord's his home ground — wins the day. If the bounce is deemed more important — as was the case when Australia beat England in 2023 — then Ngidi will play. 'Those are conversations that have happened and we will structure the bowling attack accordingly,' said Conrad. Ngidi hasn't always been a favourite of Conrad's because he doesn't bowl as quickly as Conrad believes he should, coupled with concerns about his fitness. On the latter, Conrad said he was impressed by Ngidi's improvement in that area. Ngidi's last Test was in Trinidad last year and while he's been absent first with injury and then because he was put on a strength and conditioning programme, Paterson took the chance to claim two five-wicket hauls, while Rabada, Jansen and Maharaj, have continued to underline their class, which is demonstrated by all three being ranked in the top 20 Test bowlers currently. Broad may not be a selector, but it would be no surprise that if before ditching the Proteas training kit on Monday, he had one last word with Conrad, that may swing the head coach's thinking. It wouldn't be the weirdest basis for a selection Conrad's made.
