New Zealand thoroughly deserved to be inaugural WTC champions: Steve Smith

Australian batter Steve Smith finds New Zealand to be the deserving champions of the World Test Championship. Notably, New Zealand outsmarted India last month in Southampton to stake their claim on the inaugural edition of the WTC.

Marred by the Covid-19 pandemic, the first WTC cycle witnessed multiple hiccups including series cancellations and postponements, however, beating all odds on their way, Kane Williamson’s men managed to emerge on the top.

Meanwhile, in a recent interactive session on his Instagram handle, Smith answered a long list of questions asked by his fans, in one of which he also opined on how excited he is to represent his country in the longest format.

“It is definitely a great addition to make the Test cricket more exciting, and I loved to be a part of it this time around. Congratulations to New Zealand for the title they thoroughly deserved to be the inaugural WTC champions. I am really excited for the second cycle and eagerly waiting to represent Australia in it and hopefully perform well.”

The former skipper was also quizzed by a follower on his IPL stint with the Delhi Capitals and the experience of playing under the leadership of youngster Rishabh Pant. ” It was exciting to be a part of the team and looking forward to playing again in the second half of the IPL for Delhi. Pant is an impressive player and a friendly captain to be around,” Smith, who is currently nursing an elbow injury, revealed.

Test cricket is my main goal: Steve Smith

Earlier this month, Australia’s incumbent Test skipper Tim Paine highlighted how important it is for Australia to have a player of Smith’s potential for the contest against arch-rivals England in the Ashes. Paine was least hesitant in reckoning that he would need Smith available, even if it comes at the cost of him giving the T20 World Cup a miss.

Smith echoed similar sentiments, as he reckoned that he would opt for the multi-day format over the T20 WC due in the UAE later this year. “There’s still a bit of time between now and [the T20 World Cup], and I’m tracking okay at the moment – it’s slow, but I’m going okay. I’d love to be part of the World Cup, for sure, but from my point of view, Test cricket, that’s my main goal – to be right for the Ashes and try to emulate what I’ve done in the last few Ashes series I’ve been involved in.”