Steve Smith calls out fast bowling rule change for Test cricket
Fed-up superstar Steve Smith has called for a rule change over a fast bowling tactic he says leaves batters few scoring options.
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Steve Smith has called for “some slight rule changes” when it comes to the approach of fast bowlers in Test cricket.
The first of two Test matches against New Zealand gets underway in Wellington on Thursday, when Smith will continue opening the batting for Australia.
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The 34-year-old is coming off an unbeaten 91 in an encouraging innings last time out against the West Indies, which ended in defeat for the Aussies.
Short-pitched bowling has been a talking point dating back to last year’s Ashes series, with some quick bowlers regularly using the tactic on lifeless decks, particularly down the leg side.
Smith feels umpires could be handed increased power to call wides over the tactic, which leaves batters with very few options to score, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
It has been likened to the infamous “bodyline” tactics used against Don Bradman’s Australian outfit back in 1932-33.
“I think there could be some slight rule changes in terms of balls going down the leg side when you set that field,” Smith said.
“You really can’t hit the ball anywhere in front of the wicket 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.
“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.
“To have those catchers 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.”
The call comes in the wake of Neil Wagner’s imminent retirement from the Kiwi side.
Wagner dismissed Smith four times in five innings in the 2019/20 series in Australia using effective short-pitched bowling.
While Smith has stopped well short of suggestions Wagner had his measure, the 107-Test veteran paid tribute to the skills of the departing 37-year-old.
“Ultimately it is a good skill what Neil’s been able to do,” Smith said.
”The way he can get the ball between throat and chest height consistently, not bowl his two (allowed bouncers) for the over and just carry on doing it.
“It’s a good skill and it can be challenging, particularly for guys that are pullers of the ball.”
The first Test is set to get underway at 9am AEDT at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Aussie captain Pat Cummins has named an unchanged squad from the one that drew the recent series with the West Indies, while the hosts are yet to name their XI.
Australia team: Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Originally published as Steve Smith calls out fast bowling rule change for Test cricket
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