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Australia have cruised to a seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in the unofficial World Cup warm-up match in Southampton, with Steve Smith scoring 76.
Shaun Marsh believes Steve Smith is close to being back to his brilliant best after the former skipper scored 76 in Australia's seven-wicket win over the West Indies.
Smith and Marsh (55 not out) put on 109 for the third wicket in the unofficial practice match on the nursery field at Southampton's Ageas Bowl.
Smith hit seven fours and two sixes from 82 balls before falling to the spin of Carlos Brathwaite, but it was his third successive half-century on the back of the two he chalked up in the recent practice matches against New Zealand.
The 29-year-old looked at ease against a lively West Indies pace attack in what is a hugely encouraging sign for the world champions, who face England in an official warm-up game on Saturday.
"He has gone fantastically since he come back in," Marsh said.
"It's good to see him score some runs, No doubt he's ready for a big tournament.
"He has come back and scored some runs ... just like he always does."
Marsh looked equally comfortable at the crease and continued from where he left off 12 months ago when he scored two centuries in the ODI series against England.
The West Australian hit the winning runs as Aaron Finch's side eased to their target of 230 with 11.4 overs to spare and said he feels comfortable batting in English conditions.
"It gives you confidence knowing you have scored runs over here in the past," he said.
"It's just nice to spend some time out in the middle and get my feet moving.
"It's a different challenge to back home as it swings around a bit, but it's good challenge.
It was not all plain sailing for Australia with opener Usman Khawaja taken to hospital for scans to his jaw after being struck by a rising delivery from Andre Russell.
His early exit brought David Warner to the crease and he got off the mark in splendid style, pulling Russell to the boundary with the first ball he faced.
The impressive Oshane Thomas caused plenty of uncomfortable moments for Warner and Finch (42) on a lively deck.
The giant quick dismissed Warner for 12 with a brutish ball that he gloved to Nicholas Pooran behind the stumps.
Finch then departed when he slapped Floyd Reifer to his West Indies counterpart Jason Holder at mid-on.
Smith, who hit his first ball for six over long on, then took charge along with Marsh to lay the foundations for victory.
His dismissal came as something of a surprise, when Pooran got his hand to the thinnest of edges, allowing Glenn Maxwell (18 not out) to see the team over the line.
Earlier, Australia's bowlers dismissed West Indies for 229.
Pacemen Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Mitchell Starc grabbed two wickets apiece with Maxwell also taking a pair in just three overs.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa bowled superbly to finish with 1-42 from nine overs to boost his hopes of starting against Afghanistan in the tournament opener on June 1 in Bristol.
"It was nice to spend some time in the middle but more importantly I thought we played really well as a team," Marsh said.
"Our bowlers did very well on that wicket.
"The way Zampa bowled on a smallish ground was fantastic. It was a good day for us."