Steve Smith’s sole aim will be to keep Australia in the winning habit when they take on a Pakistan side contemplating the imminent departure of their most successful captain in the dead rubber Sydney test this week.
With a first test series win of the season already in the bag after the dramatic victory in the Boxing Day test in Melbourne, Australia have continued the reconstruction of their team ahead of February’s four-test tour of India.
The recall of Steve O’Keefe for a twin-spin attack and inclusion of debutant batting all-rounder Hilton Cartwright gives Australia the look of a team getting an early start on preparations for a tour of the sub-continent.
Captain Smith, however, is well aware that little more than a month ago Australian cricket was in crisis after the home series loss to South Africa and his sights are firmly on victory and securing a 3-0 triumph over Pakistan.
“The selectors probably have an eye on India and the guys that are a possibility to be there,” Smith told reporters on Monday.
“(But) you can’t think too far ahead. The conditions are completely different, it’s a different kind of spin that you get out here compared to India.
“We’re just focused on this test match at the moment, hopefully we can have a clean sweep.”
