Ace Australia batter Steve Smith endured a poor outing for New South Wales against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield competition at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He batted at the top of the order for NSW and failed to cross double digit scores in both innings.

Smith got out for a duck in the second innings after scoring only three runs in the first. The former Australia captain, batting at one down, decided to shoulder arms to an in-swinging Scott Boland delivery and was given out leg before wicket.

Smith's reaction indicated that he didn't read the ball well and was astonished to see it come in so far.

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Victoria had gained a 136-run lead after the first innings and added 246 runs in the second to set New South Wales a 383-run mark.

Much of the recent discussion about Smith has focused on his position in the Australian batting lineup ahead of the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22.

Smith, who was Australia's opener alongside Usman Khawaja before David Warner retired, will bat fourth in the five-match Test series against India.

Smith stated that he didn't ask to be demoted to No. 4 spot but acknowledged it was his "ideal position".

“I was asked about my favourite batting position, I said four. I didn’t ask them to change my batting order. I never requested them to demote me to number four. I am happy to bat wherever the management wants me to bat. Four would be my ideal position,” Smith told ESPNcricinfo.