Australia’s talismanic batter Steve Smith felt confident after playing a fine knock in the first ODI against England at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. Smith went on to score an unbeaten knock of 80 runs off just 78 balls to help Australia chase down the target of 288 runs and win by six wickets.

The right-hander admitted that it’s probably the best he has felt in about six years. Smith was able to hit the ground running after Travis Head and David Warner added 147 runs for the opening alliance.

The veteran batter batted at the top of his game to deliver in the run-chase. Smith scored nine fours and one six in his match-winning knock.

Smith said as quoted by cricket.com.au, “It was probably the best I’ve felt in about six years. I was just in really nice positions and I felt really good, I honestly haven’t felt that way in six years or so. It’s been nice to score some runs in that time and we’re always looking for perfection, and for me Thursday was close to perfection as I will get.”

Smith revealed that he has made some changes to his batting technique and hopefully he will be able to consistently deliver for the team in the upcoming summer.

“I’ve been working on a few things, it’s almost been a six-month or 12-month process. At the start of last summer, I tried to get my hands back to where they were in 2015. I feel like I’m staying a bit more side-on now and I’ve got my feet and hands in sync together.

“It’s hard to base something on one innings but it felt as though things clicked for me as they did at the WACA in 2013. Hopefully, it’s the start of a big summer.”

Smith will look to continue the good form in the ODI series against England. The second ODI will be played at the SCG on Saturday.