The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is considered one of the most thrilling contests in world cricket. However, veteran Australia batter Steve Smith took it to another level during the series in India earlier this year, each time a spinner dismissed him, he would give him a quick thumbs up as an acknowledgement. He did this before too when Australia was in Sri Lanka for a Test series and he did the same to debutant Prabath Jayasuriya. However, Australia legend Allan Border wasn’t impressed with Smith’s action and he had branded the gesture ‘ridiculous’.

“You can have that friendly rivalry without being excessive, like Smith…in India, he gave the thumbs up every time he got a good ball,’ he told Code Sports. “I thought that was a bit over the top. You are in a contest out there. I’d be playing with a harder edge. We [Aussies] play a certain style of cricket. Hard, but fair cricket,” he further added.

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Allan Border then cited how New Zealand are the Mr Nice Guys of world cricket as well. “The Kiwis, they are the ones that play the goodie two shoes … but then they try to beat the s**t out of you,’ the former Aussie captain again said.

However, after the WTC final, Australia will gear up for the Ashes 2023 where they will lock horns with England across five Tests as well. England will be preparing for the Ashes with a one-off Test against Ireland starting Thursday at Lord’s as well.

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Australia squad for WTC final: Pat Cummins (captain), David Warner, Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Josh Inglis, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland

Reserves: Mitch Marsh, Matt Renshaw