Steve Smith relieved after Australia wrap up convincing 120-run over England in Adelaide
Australia add Mitchell Marsh to squad for third Ashes Test in Perth
Wednesday 6 December 2017 14:05, UK
Australia captain Steve Smith admitted to being relieved after his side wrapped up what proved to be a comprehensive 120-run victory in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.
Smith's decision not to enforce the follow-on on day three looked when Australia were bowled out for 138 in their second innings.
But despite England making a decent fist of chasing down a record 354 on day four, Smith, whose side now lead the five-match series 2-0, always had faith in his bowling attack.
"I was a little bit nervous at times, sometimes it was just about having faith and belief and try to keep doing the basics really well," he said. "If you get enough balls in the right areas then you are going to get rewards.
"Would I do the same again, I am not sure. It has been on my mind over the last couple of days, to be honest. I thought 'have I made a mistake here?'
"My thoughts and rationale behind it was that it is a really long summer, I don't want to bowl my bowlers into the ground.
"Although the conditions were favourable for England bowling that evening, we have seen that the new ball in pink-ball cricket can swing. On another day I may have gone the other way but, at the end of the day, we have won the Test match so it is irrelevant."
Australia now head to Perth - a place where England have won only once - knowing victory would see them regain the Ashes and Smith is delighted with the position his side are in after big wins in Brisbane and Adelaide.
Australia have included Mitchell Marsh in a 13-man squad for the WACA Test, with the all-rounder - now back bowling after shoulder surgery - replacing seamer Chadd Sayers,
"It's phenomenal to be 2-0 up in the series," Smith added. "I thought England fought back really hard but we always thought coming into the day with 18 overs until the new ball that things would be in our favour.
"We always thought 180 runs was a lot of runs to get. We always had the faith in the team and the belief.
"We thought if we could come out and bowl well this morning, hit our lengths and get one or two wickets then things can happen quickly."
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