Rejuvenated Smith Raring to Go

Steve Smith is feeling refreshed and ready to take on the South African attack at Lord's next week. In a rare admission, he revealed that he hadn't hit a ball since the Champions Trophy, and yet, he's feeling more prepared than ever.

"I had my first hit, and I was like, that felt strangely good. Normally how it works is my first hit's good, my second hit's awful, and then I'd get better from there. But both hits were just really good and I was like, hopefully it doesn't turn around now and I don't have to spend hours in the nets the next couple of days. But no, everything just sort of clicked into place immediately," he says.

Smith's unusual lead-up to the World Test Championship final involved a two-month break from cricket, during which he focused on his mental well-being and spent time playing golf. He's also made a conscious decision to reduce his net practice, opting instead to focus on his mental preparation.

"I think over the last couple of years, I've tried to hit less balls. I have hit so many balls in my career. I mean, it doesn't always work out that way, but it depends how I'm feeling at the time really. But kind of going into a series, I'd like to hit less just to try and keep my mental side as focused as I can when I'm out in the middle," he explains.

Smith's new approach seems to be working, as he's scored four centuries in his last five Tests. He's also been working on his physical fitness, training with a personal trainer in the US and posting regular updates on Instagram.

"I've had a good sort of couple of months in New York. I've been with him two to three times a week, trying to utilize the three months I guess that I've had off just to get strong. I feel as strong as I've probably been since maybe 2014, so it's been a good training block," he says.

Golf, which Smith took up a couple of years ago, has also become an important part of his life. While he admits it can be frustrating at times, he enjoys the mental break it provides and the bonding opportunities it offers with his teammates.

"It's a fun game. It's a frustrating game and one that I wish I was a little bit better at. Maybe in the future I'll have a bit more time and get better," he says.

For now, Smith is focused on his cricket, and he's feeling more relaxed and prepared than ever.