Steve Smith embraces New Zealand’s short-ball challenge ahead of Boxing Day Test
Steve Smith is preparing for another short-ball barrage from New Zealand in the Boxing Day Test as he prepares to return to a ground where he has averaged more than 250 since 2013.
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Steve Smith is tickled pink the red ball is back and has ordered Australia’s net bowlers to bombard him with short balls in a bid to counter New Zealand’s ‘Bodyline’ tactics.
Smith has averaged 251 at the MCG since 2013, smashing India (192), West Indies (134 not-out), Pakistan (165 not out) and England (102 not-out) with commanding centuries.
The world’s best Test batsman was confident the end of the day-night matches would coincide with the end of his runs drought, revealing that his eyes find it far easier to focus on red and white cricket balls.
Smith, 30, told Justin Langer that facing the pink ball was “a bit of a lottery” – and the Australian coach predicted a Boxing Day resurgence for his Ashes hero.
“I find the pink one a little bit harder to pick up,” Smith said on Tuesday.
“It comes off the bat a bit like a tennis ball in a way. I feel like my timing is not on as much with the pink one as opposed to the red or the white ones. Maybe I need some work there.
“I’m certainly looking forward to the red ball.”
Smith has not posted a half-century this summer and Langer was thrilled his team had produced three clinical victories without requiring any brilliance from smith.
“Great, isn’t it?” Langer said
“If you’re playing good cricket, the team’s winning and Steve Smith’s not doing well it puts a smile on everyone’s face.
“(But) anyone who averages 63 or 64 in Test cricket, you know they’re coming, and he loves the big stage. I’m looking forward to watching him bat.”
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The Kiwis twice undid Smith with short balls in Perth, although Smith said the two dismissals were chalk and cheese.
“First innings I was 40 off 160 rocks or something (43 off 164) and got underneath them (short balls) for a while there,” Smith said.
“It just got to a point where we’d put on quite a few and it was about trying to move the game forward a little bit quicker and just didn’t execute very well.”
Smith refused to put the pull shot away although said this time he would be armed with a game plan to combat the tactics.
“I’ve been facing a fair bit of short stuff in the nets, because I’m expecting a bit,” he said.
“It’s going to be completely different with the red ball as opposed to the pink ball, particularly the second innings in Perth when it was a bit up and down with cracks and stuff.
“That’s never easy at any time, particularly when they’re bowling short to you. It’s going to be different, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Originally published as Steve Smith embraces New Zealand’s short-ball challenge ahead of Boxing Day Test
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