Smith was a class player 12 months ago and he obviously still is says Buttler

Smith-Buttler (Image - ICC)

May 26 (CRICKETNMORE) - Jos Buttler admitted Steve Smith made all the difference after the Australian’s first century since his return to the international game proved England’s undoing.

Australia emerged winners against the old enemy in their warm-up clash by 12 runs on Saturday at the Hampshire Bowl, Smith compiling a flawless 116 from 102 balls in his side’s total of 297.

Buttler – who stood in as skipper for the injured Eoin Morgan – smashed a 30-ball half-century in reply. But England – the No.1 side in the world and the tournament hosts – ended up falling to their first loss of the summer.

And he was impressed by what he saw from Smith, “It looked like the Steve Smith of old, he played well, played good cricket shots and looked very in control, it was a good innings,” said Buttler.

“He was a class player 12 months ago and he obviously still is. He hasn’t forgotten how to bat, he knows his gave very well and he just stuck to it.

“We never like losing, we were pretty good but not quite up to the marks we expect of ourselves.

“We were ready for the tournament to start yesterday, everyone has been chomping at the bit to get started but that was a very good run out.

“Tom Curran with the new ball was excellent, Ben Stokes got some overs in, more wickets for (Liam) Plunkett and it was nice to see Chris Woakes playing really well.”

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