Mumbai, January 10: Veteran batter Steve Smith said he is feeling "bit more relaxed" about the chance to lead Australia for two Tests in Galle in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins. Smith was named as Test captain for the two-match tour of Sri Lanka as Cummins will be missing the trip due to the impending birth of his second child and a newly revealed ankle injury. SL vs AUS 2025: Australia Chief Selector George Bailey Says Travis Head May Open in Sri Lanka Test Series.

"Any chance I get to take over when Patty's (Cummins) not here is good fun. I try and still do things my way. It슬롯사이트s been cool to have a couple of opportunities here and there," Smith told the Sydney Morning Herald ahead of his BBL match for the Sydney Sixers.

슬롯사이트It슬롯사이트s going to be a cool tour. I think I understand spin and the subcontinent really well in terms of angles and what needs to happen. Also, the tempo of play that needs to be played at certain times. I슬롯사이트m probably a bit more relaxed now. I슬롯사이트m pretty chilled and just laid-back. I슬롯사이트ll just enjoy it," he said.

Smith served a two-year leadership ban for his role in the Sandpapergate saga of 2018. The 35-year-old has skippered his country four times since the ban ended. He captained Australia against England in Adelaide (2021), against the West Indies in Perth (2022) before donning the captain's hat in a couple of Tests in India in 2023. Smith led Australia on their tour of Sri Lanka in 2016, which ended in a disastrous 3-0 series defeat. Sam Konstas or Travis Head? Australia슬롯사이트s Chief Selector George Bailey Hints at Who Will Open in SL vs AUS Test Series 2025.

Speaking about the spin-friendly conditions of Sri Lanka, Smith said, "They can be tough conditions,슬롯사이트� Smith said. 슬롯사이트They play pretty well there, particularly if the wickets are quite extreme. It슬롯사이트s just guys developing plans as batters슬롯사이트� different methods that allow them to score and survive. It슬롯사이트s very different to playing spin here in Australia. Whatever that is, stick to it from ball one, trust it."

Smith is eyeing one of the biggest milestones of joining the 10,000 run club after he fell one short of becoming the 15th man to achieve the feat in Sydney Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

"One run슬롯사이트� it hurt a little bit at the time,슬롯사이트� Smith said. 슬롯사이트It would have been nice to have ticked that off in front of all my friends and family here at my home ground, but hopefully, I can knock it off first thing in Galle. I probably let it wander (in my mind) too much throughout the game. It슬롯사이트s a cool milestone to tick off," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2025 12:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).