How Indian coaches found the way to nullify Steve Smith, and how Aussie great can fight back

Indian coaches decided four years ago to starve Steve Smith of off-side options by bowling at his stumps and body. These are the figures which prove the plan has been successful.

Steve Smith’s hopes of a form revival may rest on his ability to plug a mysterious hole in what was once his great dam wall.

Smith has been struggling for runs but there is also a sense that the Gabba, where he has three Test centuries and a last-start 91 not out against the West Indies, could provide a trend-snapping innings in the weekend’s third Test against India.

Indian coaches decided four years ago to starve Smith of off-side options by bowling at his stumps and body.

The plan has been successful and CricViz statistics have confirmed that Smith’s ability to handle this type of ball has receded.

READ MORE: Operation Smudge: How ‘Bodyline’ approach has silenced Smith

Australia's Steve Smith has been struggling for runs, but his fortunes could turn with one change. Picture: AFP

For a decade, his freakishly good eye made him the best player of balls on his stumps in world cricket.

From 2014 until the start of the 2023 Ashes, Smith averaged 40.35 runs per dismissal for balls directed at the stumps, beneath his career average but better than any other batsman in the game.

On average he was dismissed every 54 balls from these types of deliveries.

However, since the start of the 2023 Ashes, he is averaging a modest 12 runs per dismissal from balls at his stumps, losing his wicket every 20 deliveries.

How Steve Smith handled pace in Tests from 2014 to the 2023 Ashes.

and how he’s fared since that series. Supplied: CricViz

During this time, one in three of his dismissals has been lbw.

Bowlers are finding raw pad where once they were tormented by a flashing blade.

Longtime teammates such as NSW veteran Moises Henriques say Smith still has what it takes to return to form.

“I have no doubt he’s going to bounce back,’’ Henriques said.

How often Steve Smith has been dismissed lbw in Tests. Supplied: CricViz

“He’s gone two Test matches without a heap of runs yet but that’s only three innings and in his last innings he got burgled down the leg side.

“I don’t think it’s anything to worry about yet as an Australian fan.

“The biggest thing will be how Steve’s feeling anyway, where he is in terms of confidence in his game, and I know before he left it was strong and high.

“Before the Test series started, he was in a really good place. I don’t really see any reason why that would have changed, other than the fact he hasn’t scored many runs.

“He’s probably the world’s best No.4 and for the sake of team, and the sake of him wanting a challenge, he decided he wanted to open the batting last year in Test cricket and try to take it on up the order.

“There were some pretty tough wickets last year I felt in the home Test summer, compared to what we normally get.

“This year, back down at four is where he should be in Test cricket.

“I think there are some runs coming in the next three Test matches.’’