'It is a scary proposition for this summer ahead' - Glenn Maxwell backs Steve Smith to do well in BGT 2024-25

Steve Smith made an impressive return to international cricket as he scored a fluent 44 off 46 balls to help Australia beat Pakistan by two wickets in the low-scoring first ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on Monday, November 4. Glenn Maxwell said that the former Australia captain is looking in fantastic touch and could make a huge impact during the upcoming white-ball fixtures against Pakistan and the subsequent Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.

Smith had recently expressed his desire to do well in the five-match Test series against India. Maxwell acknowledged the enormous effort the right-handed batter puts in behind the scenes and pointed it out as one of the reasons why he is one of the greatest players in the game.

"Steve Smith looks really crisp with his footwork and his timing and his movement looked in sync. He looked like he was unfazed by everything that was thrown at him. There were a couple of balls on the green off the length and he was able to deal with them quite easily. And I suppose that's a really good sign of someone who is focused on the job and really in tune with their technique," Maxwell said on Around the Cricket show on ESPN.

"To see him over the last week, putting in so many hours in training sort of says why he is one of the best players in the world. He is never satisfied. For the way he came out and bat the way he did, there was a nice moment where he hit a cover drive and you could see him looking at the big screen and give himself the nod of approval and that is a sign of him working on his technique and it is a scary proposition for this summer ahead," he further added.

Pakistan look to bounce back in Adelaide

Australia and Pakistan will once again square off in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on Friday, November 8. The Men in Green will look to restore parity in the three-match series and set it up for the final game at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, November 10.

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The tourists will take confidence from the fight shown by the bowlers in the first ODI as they almost defended a 204-run target against the ODI World Cup holders. Pakistan fans will hope that their batters step up in the do-or-die encounter in Adelaide.