Cricket World Cup 2019: Steve Smith continues rich vein of form as Aussies cruise past West Indies

Australia coach Justin Langer said Steve Smith was “literally a master of the game” as he finally appears fully fit after elbow surgery. And teammate Shaun Marsh couldn’t agree more.

David Warner will bat at No.3 against the West Indies. Picture: Getty Images

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Steve Smith is “ready for a big World Cup” after his third consecutive half-century for Australia anchored an easy practice match win against West Indies.

Shaun Marsh declared the busy batsman was ready to make a statement at the tournament after the pair added 109 runs to set up the seven-wicket win in Southampton.

Smith got off the mark with a six and top-scored with 76 (82) as the Aussies chased down the target of 230 in just 38.3 overs.

Smith has played four practice matches for Australia since returning from his 12-month ball-tampering suspension, averaging 139 runs.

Usman Khawaja is rocked by an Andre Russell bouncer.

Coach Justin Langer said Smith was “literally a master of the game” and he finally appears fully fit after elbow surgery in January.

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Smith even bowled two overs (0-11) against West Indies, while his 360-degree hitting was once again on show.

The former captain has now made 76 (82), 91 not-out (108) and 89 not-out (77) from his past three knocks.

Langer described the first of those rich innings as “a tutorial in batting” and Smith’s work ethic at training has also been praised in the Aussie camp.

But David Warner’s hot IPL form has faded.

Warner, demoted to No.3, made just 12 (24) against the Windies after knocks of 2 (6), 0 (6) and 39 (43) against New Zealand in Brisbane this month.

Steve Smith was in scintillating form in Southampton.

The former Aussie skipper even rolled the arm over.

Warner got off the mark with a pull shot to the rope but never got going, failing to score from his next 13 balls. He has never made a century in England.

But the run chase was never in doubt after spinners Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell put the skids on the West Indies, combing for 3-10 in 17 balls.

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“The way Zampa bowled on a smallish ground was fantastic,” Marsh said.

Zampa rattled game-breaker Andre Russell’s off stump to finish with 1-42 (nine overs).

David Warner is suddenly struggling for runs on the eve of the tournament.

While Jason Behrendorff was hit for five sixes on the tiny ground, the rest of Australia’s attack impressed.

Pat Cummins (2-36 off nine overs) banged it in short and dismissed opener Shai Hope courtesy of a brilliant one-handed catch by keeper Alex Carey down legside.

Carlos Brathwaite (60 off 64) dragged the West Indies to a competitive score.

Marsh appears in direct competition with Usman Khawaja – who retired hurt after copping a bouncer from Russell to the side of the helmet – for a place in Australia’s best XI.

Pat Cummins sends one down for Australia. Picture: Getty Images

Khawaja was later cleared of a broken jaw after being taken to hospital.

While Khawaja is the world’s leading ODI run-scorer in 2019, Marsh struck two centuries in England last year and again looked good in the northern conditions.

“It certainly does give you confidence knowing you have scored runs over here in the past,” Marsh said.

“It’s just nice to spend some time out in the middle and get my feet moving.

“I enjoy batting out here, it’s obviously a different challenge. The wickets are probably a bit slower than back home and it swings around a little bit.”

Marsh said he was “nice and flexible” and not confined to a role in the middle-order.

Brother Mitchell Marsh endured a difficult summer as he was dropped from Australia in all three formats and lost his Cricket Australia contract.

But Shaun said he was “in the best shape I’ve seen him in” and excited to jet to England for the Australia A tour.

Australia rested Marcus Stoinis, Kane Richardson and Nathan Lyon.

They will be rotated through the next two practice games, against England on Saturday and Sri Lanka on Monday.

Originally published as Cricket World Cup 2019: Steve Smith continues rich vein of form as Aussies cruise past West Indies