Australia’s star batter Steve Smith has pushed for a rule reform on leg-side bouncers, urging the cricketing authorities to address this issue as it restricts a batter's ability to hit the ball "anywhere in front of the wicket".

Smith, a veteran of 108 Tests, suggested that a bowler should be allowed just one or two such deliveries, after which he should be warned or the delivery be called a wide.

"I think there could be some slight rule changes in terms of balls going down the leg side when you set that field.

"You really can't hit the ball anywhere in front of the wicket really, and I feel like it is almost like when a (left-arm) spinner comes over the wicket and they get the warning down the leg side and then they start getting 'wided'," Smith was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.

"If you're bowling balls consistently in that area down leg, it should be a similar ruling to the spinner if that makes sense. Basically bowl one or two, then get a warning and then get wides called," he added.

Smith, who is currently featuring in the opening Test against New Zealand in Wellington, further stated that if the ball is drifting too much down leg, it's impossible for a batter to play any kind of stroke.

"To have those catchers (fielders) there in position, it can be challenging for sure. The only thing I'd like to see is if you get too much down leg, you can't really score anywhere else, and all the fielders are there. That would be the only change I wouldn't mind seeing," he remarked.

Smith showered rich praise on New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner, who drew curtains to his illustrious 64-Test career by announcing retirement from international cricket on Tuesday (February 27).

"Ultimately it is a good skill what Neil's been able to do, the way he can get the ball between throat and chest height consistently, not bowl his two (bouncers) for the over and just carry on doing it," Smith said.

"It's a good skill and it can be challenging, particularly for guys that are pullers of the ball."

Coming to the Wellington Test, Australia ended day one at 279/9 on the back of all-rounder Cameron Green’s unbeaten century (103).

Matt Henry starred with the ball for New Zealand, returning with four wickets. William ORourke and Scott Kuggeleijn also claimed two scalps each.

(With PTI Inputs)