Ashes 2019: Steve Smith's successful technique may force the batting manual to be rewritten, says Adam Gilchrist

Smith has 671 runs in Ashes so far with 3 centuries and a highest score of 211.

Steve Smith has 671 runs in Ashes 2019 so far | Getty Images

Legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist has on Wednesday (September 11) labeled Steve Smith’s unorthodox batting technique as a highly successful one and mentioned that it could force the batting textbooks to be rewritten.

Early in his career, Smith’s batting style was a joke for the cricketing fraternity, as the gifted batsman had been struggling to emerge out and even though he changed his technique but quickly decided to stay true to his game and now he is ruling the cricket world and Adam said that’s only because of his immense self-belief, which has taken him at this level in his career.

Gilchrist said at an event in Bangalore, “He tried to change his technique, but later decided to stay true to his game. To stick to your guns when all the cricketing greats, coaches and textbooks say you are wrong – that takes real courage. And now everyone is watching him bat in amazement, and trying to learn from him. The textbooks on batting technique may need to be rewritten.”

Smith went through tremendous emotional turmoil following the sandpapergate in South Africa last year from being regularly reminded of his tainted conduct in Cape Town to be booed by the crowd on his return. Crossing all that obstacles, the gutsy right-hander ultimately managed to turn the air in his favor with his fighting spirit on the field.

Since returning to the international arena after serving a one-year ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, Australian star batsman has shown great character and courage on the field.

At the moment, the 30-year-old is in incredible form in the ongoing Ashes 2019 having guided Australia to retain the Urn in England after 18 years – which forced many to compare him with former cricketing greats including Sir Don Bradman. And Gilchrist feels Smith has handled himself very well.

The Aussie great continued, “Smith’s run is extraordinary, considering the sort of pressure he is under since making a comeback. It (heckling) was expected from the England crowds. Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft took responsibility for their actions and served a very tough penalty. Smith has utilised the time away to come back mentally tougher. Smith will never get those 12 months back; he is making up for the lost time. He has handled himself very well.”

While Australia has retained the Ashes Urn in England and looks favorite for the Oval Test but Gilchrist feels the home side are not still a well-settled side.

Gilchrist signed off by saying, “Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft - they are still finding their feet in Test cricket. I don’t think anyone has secured their spot in the Australian team, apart from Steve Smith. David Warner has had a very challenging series, and he will look forward to playing in familiar conditions back in Australia. We’re not fully settled on what our best top-seven batting order is, so there’s an opportunity for youngsters to come in.”

(With Sportstar Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 12 Sep, 2019

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