“They bowled really well, the New Zealanders, and the ball swung around for most of the innings”

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Australia batsman Steven Smith has admitted that the national team will have to be on top of their game if they are to have any chance of beating New Zealand on Saturday in Auckland.

Smith’s comments come after New Zealand have beaten Sri Lanka, Scotland and England.

“We’ve got to be on top of our game to beat them,” Smith was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. “We saw bits and pieces [of the England game]. They bowled really well, the New Zealanders, and the ball swung around for most of the innings. I don’t think England played all that well at the same time but they’re a tough opposition and they’re playing some very good cricket in their own backyard.”

Smith also pointed out that the pitch in Auckland will be a little slower to what the Baggy Greens are used to when they play on home soil.

“The wickets are probably a little bit slower than what we are used to here,” he said. “Hopefully, the nets replicate what we’re going to get out in the middle and we can get used to it that way. We’ll have a chance to see the wicket when we get over there and can prepare accordingly.”