17 January,2024 07:05 AM IST | Adelaide | AP
Australia’s Steve Smith during a training session at Adelaide Oval yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
If the last Test against Pakistan was all about David Warner's pending retirement, the series-opener against West Indies centres around newly-promoted opener Steve Smith.
And Smith, true to his technical, analytical self, has dared the Caribbean attack to waste the new ball by bowling short-pitched deliveries to him.
Also Read: WI players can't be faulted for âI'm heading to IPL' culture: Brian Lara
Smith volunteered and was elevated from No. 4 to open with Usman Khawaja. They'll combine first when Australia bats in the first of two Tests starting Wednesday at Adelaide Oval. Smith said the tactics opponents have used against him in the past will now risk blemishing the new ball by landing it halfway down the pitch.
ALSO READ
Siraj sends Smith packing as Australia stumbles to 104 for five at lunch
Bumrah nails Smith for golden duck, fans recall ODI World Cup final: WATCH
"That’s key for me": Smith opens up on his plans against this Indian bowler
"It's fantastic that Nathan gets his opportunity": Matthew Hayden
"He’s a very thinking cricketer as well": Ravichandran Ashwin on this AUS player
He wants to score more freely in the role, taking advantage of attacking fields and lengths in the way Warner so often did in a 112-test career that ended at the Sydney Cricket Ground last week with a 3-0 Australia sweep over Pakistan.
"It's pretty game, I suppose, with a brand new ball; bowling short stuff and wasting it," Smith told Australian Associated Press.
"I think it helps the scoring rate for sure when you're facing the new ball and there's a bit more attacking going on.
"Over the last few years I've come in after quite a lot of runs... that's probably kept me quieter and made me face a lot more balls to score runs. So perhaps that changes a bit with the new ball, you have a bit more attacking fields and more gaps out there to score runs.
"I've let all the guys know obviously how much I love playing at No. 4, and I'm obviously grateful for the opportunity," Green said. "No. 4 is where I feel like I can take my time and settle in."
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
