Smith aiming for England whitewash

Steve Smith is set to play in Friday's ODI in Perth
22 January 2014

Recalled batsman Steve Smith is not concerned about the prospect of condemning England to their worst ever losing run in Friday's one-day international in Perth.

England are a game away from levelling a record 10 successive losses suffered across all formats in 1993 and 2001.

Defeat for Alastair Cook's beleaguered side at the WACA Ground would also match their longest losing run against Australia.

While Smith admits the aim is to send the tourists home without a win, he is not keeping tabs on any additional embarrassment that may cause them.

"I'm not sure about that, I think it's just nice to keep winning," he said.

"We haven't really worried about England at all to be honest. Throughout this whole tour it's just been about us and the way we've played.

"It would be great to end the series 5-0 and that is our goal but we've just got to take each game at a time and try and continue playing good cricket."

Smith is set to play his first ODI in over a year after Australia opted to rest four of their Ashes winners, including skipper Michael Clarke, for Friday's game.

With the World Cup on home soil 12 months away he is determined to try and force his way back into the selectors' minds.

"It (the World Cup) is obviously still a fair way away but every opportunity you get, you've got to try and impress," he said.

"I haven't played for a while now so hopefully I can come out and make an impact and hopefully win a couple of games for Australia. It's nice to be back.

"Obviously the boys have set a pretty good platform for me, 3-0 up going into this game. Hopefully we can finish the series well and get a clean sweep."

Smith has been one of Australia's most improved batsmen in the past year, during which time he scored his first three Test, and Ashes, centuries.

The 24-year-old, who has been in good form with the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash this month, hopes he can translate his form into the 50-over stage.

"I probably haven't had an opportunity in one-day or T20 cricket for quite some time now," he said.

"I've definitely improved my skills over the past 18 months, that's for sure.

"Shot selection's a big one. Patience and just tightening up my technique. All those three things have contributed to a relatively successful summer.

"I've just got to continue improving in all those facets.

"I'm really happy with my one-day and T20 form that I've had with New South Wales and the Sixers.

"I'm certainly in good form and ready to go in the next couple of games."

Smith will be a part of a new-look batting line-up in Perth that will be without Clarke, David Warner, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin.

That will cause a major re-shuffle but Smith is confident another win can be delivered.

"I don't see why not. Everyone's in good form," he said.

"We're in a pretty confident space at the moment playing good cricket.

"Hopefully we can carry on with the way we've played and a few boys can step up and make some big runs."

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