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

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.”

England’s injury problems are mounting on the eve of the tournament, Mark Wood anxiously awaiting the results of a scan on his left foot after pulling up lame in the seventh over of the match.

Liam Dawson also cut his finger in the field but Buttler insists his squad will be able to cope.

He added: “Hopefully we can get them (the injuries) all out of the way now!

“Liam (Dawson) could have batted today if it was the World Cup but they are warm-up games and you play it safe. We want everyone fit and available at 100 percent for the tournament.

“Mark (Wood) has worked really hard, it’s something he has battled a bit which is obviously a frustration but he is in the best hands and we are hoping for the best for him.

“You forget that is the nature of professional sport, injuries do happen.”

England’s second and final warm-up game will be against Afghanistan at The Oval on Monday.

And Buttler – who said Morgan’s finger injury was healing up nicely – cannot wait to get started.  

“Our preparation has been fantastic. And we have been ready for a while now,” he added.  

“We don’t want to just go through the motions, we have to play properly and get out of them what we need to.” 

ICC