Australia vs New Zealand SCG Test: Steve Smith’s struggles against Neil Wagner

Steve Smith has been dismissed four times by Neil Wagner – while scoring a mere 26 runs against the energetic Kiwi quick. But their one-sided battle has been surprisingly rewarding for Justin Langer’s team.

Australian batsman Steve Smith reacts following his dismissal by New Zealand bowler Neil Wagner during day 1 of the first Test match between Australia and New Zealand at Optus Stadium in Perth, Thursday, December 12, 2019. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

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Many years ago, during a rare cold patch, fast bowling great Glenn McGrath sat down with Justin Langer and poured his heart out.

Recently back from injury and doubting himself for one of the few times in his career, a downcast McGrath wondered whether he still “had it.’’

Langer, later asked if he found the experience chastening, said “Are you serious?’

“I loved it. I go through that every year and suddenly you had a great of the game admitting was struggling. It actually lifted me.’’

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Neil Wagner (R) has had the measure of Steve Smith this summer. Picture: Getty

Steve Smith has not reached such depths in his much publicised man-on-man shootout with Neil Wagner – he made 85 in the first innings of the last Test – but the numbers are the numbers.

In 122 balls from Wagner he’s made 26 runs for four times out so even if Smith makes a century in Sydney the balance sheet cannot finish his way.

And dismissals have been to Wagner’s Plan A – the short ball – so bad luck has in no way snuck into the equation.

Just as Langer found a sort of comfort in seeing superstar McGrath have some self-doubts so does Smith’s battle with Wagner have some benefits for Australian cricket.

While Smith has struggled, David Warner has stepped up. Picture: Getty

That Australia has beaten the No 2 team in the world without having to be carried all the way by Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and/or David Warner is a bonus.

The side is growing around them.

Labuschagne has proved he will march on with or with or without the two experienced guns.

Travis Head is a last Test century-maker. The fast bowlers are enjoying the publicity that comes with robust across-the-board performances this summer.

In England, Smith was so far ahead of the rest it was almost as if they were shrinking in his shadow. He looked as superior as Tiger Woods walking down the fairway with his Wednesday pro-am partners.

Steve Smith was next to unstoppable during the Ashes. Picture: AFP

In a quirky sort of way you wonder whether seeing Smith reduced to mere mortal status might help other batsmen in the side realise that however good you are, no-one is immune to a clever plan.

The haunting aspect of the short-pitched plan is that is so well-publicised and conspicuous we are reminded of the saying that there’s only one thing more intimidating than a cunning plan – that’s a not-so-cunning plan, one which the entire world can see and is waiting for.

Glenn McGrath celebrates another wicket of Michael Atherton. Picture: ALLSPORT

It’s like when Australia placed a short mid-wicket to Graham Gooch or a leg-slip to David Gower who loved his little leg-side flicks or when McGrath tried to bait Mike Atherton outside off-stump.

Everyone could see what was happening which magnified the pressure.

In many ways Smith’s contest with Wagner proves what is truly great about Test match cricket – man-on-man contests that rumble through a three-Test series.

They are not simply boxers having a one-off showdown.

The have squared off four times this summer and perhaps will do so twice more at the SCG.

Don’t worry about the big hitting in the Big Bash. Seeing a master of his craft wrestle with his own game and a feisty warrior at the other end is the most fascinating duel of the summer.