AUS v IND 2020-21: “I've faced a lot of short bowling in my life”, Steve Smith up for the task against Indian pacers

Smith believes trying short-pitched bowling against him could work in Australia's favour.

Steve Smith | Getty

Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith on Saturday (November 14) said he has faced a lot of short-pitch bowling in his life and is up for the task against the Indian pacers in the upcoming four-Test series.

Smith also believes that trying short-pitched bowling against him could work in Australia's favour.

See Also: Australia chief selector denies chances of Steve Smith becoming captain again

"If teams are trying to get me out like that it's probably a big benefit for the team because it takes a lot out of people's bodies if you continually bowl short," Smith told News Corp.

"I've faced a lot of short bowling in my life and I haven't had too many stresses with it. I suppose we'll just wait and see."

Steve Smith was found wanting against Neil Wagner's short-pitch bowling in the last summer against New Zealand. He was dismissed by the left-arm pacer four times.

Smith, however, still managed to average nearly 43 in the three Tests and tired the Kiwi bowlers down with his gritty approach in the middle.

"It's no dramas for me. I just play the game and sum up the conditions, how they're trying to get me out and being able to counter that," Smith said.

He acknowledged that Wagner executed it well, but others may not be able to replicate that.

"I mean, a few different oppositions have tried it and they've certainly found it more difficult to (execute it) the way Wagner did. He's got an amazing skill set where his speeds go up and dow... everything is between your ribs and your head."

India will play three ODIs, three T20Is, and four Tests in their upcoming tour Down Under, starting November 27.

The battle for the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy will kick-start with the pink-ball affair at the Adelaide Oval on December 17. Melbourne will host the second Test from December 26 while the third and fourth Tests will be played in Sydney Cricket Ground (January 7-11) and Brisbane's Gabba (January 15-19), respectively.

 

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 15 Nov, 2020

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