As Steve Smith fronted up to the Indian media on the eve of
the 3rd Test in Mohali earlier this year, he got the most unexpected
question first up. “Steve, In your last test match here it was your overthrow
that cost Australia a test match so you don’t have great memories here”? A question
of such nature would have disheartened most cricketers, especially to a cricketer
that was only presented an opportunity to play because of a fall out between
the coach and it’s senior cricketers.
But Smith started his response in a similar manner he
started his innings today against England. Smith laughed then went on to say “I
thought I make get that question first up” similarly today he would have seen a
his captain get knocked over to late swinging outswinger and we all probably
expected a similar follow up. Once again Smith like that press conference in
Mohali was up to the mark. Anderson bowled a booming inswinger to which Smith stretched
forward and felt the duke ball hit right in middle of his bat.
Smith technique has been scrutinised in the past, he had the
tendency to play away from his body making him vulnerable to an outswing bowler
like Anderson. Today he covered his off stump and allowed the ball to pass,
when Anderson or Finn bowled the inswingers, his stride wasn’t too long so he
could deflect the ball into the onside. Even when he received a full ball
angling in, he didn’t look to play it though midwicket even though the shot was
a safe one, Instead he played straight and let the ball hit him on the outside
of the pad. Smith had definitely missed a couple of scoring opportunities with
this extreme secure method but it ensured him that covered the line of yet
another Anderson lethal outswinger. To summarise
it he banked on his defence before thinking of attacking, a method some of his top
order could well learn from.
Finn become restless and dug one in short, a ball that Smith
had an answer to as well. He went back and pulled it to boundary.
It is not the first time Smith had faced such a potent
attack nor is it the first time he has played under the grey skies. In only his
second test, he made a stubborn 77 against the Pakistan pace trio of Asif,
Aamir and Gul. That too was on a green top at Headingly and in a pressure
situation.
From that test in Headingly to dust bowls of India, Smith
had exposure to plenty of alien conditions. All the sign he displayed today were
positive and a sign of his batting developing.
The move to bat at number three for New South Wales this
season had presented him with a chance to face the new hard ball was paying
off. Facing the new ball had tightened his technique and improved
his temperament. Steve Smith had learned the art of facing a hard new swinging
ball. Suddenly England had to fall to plan B and try spin.
Once again Smith proved the skills he had developed in the
middle batting on the turning tracks in India would not be wasted. He went down the track to second ball
delivered by off-spinner Swann and lofted him over long on for six. Few balls
later, he advanced again and flicked him wide of midwickets for a couple more
runs. Smith was in his comfort zone, he had faced countless deliveries on more
conducive wickets in India and proved to himself, he was capable.
On a day the sun didn’t shine the ball swung, the pressure
was overwhelming Smith came through with flying colours. Tomorrow the sun is
expected to shine, the pressure likely to ease with each run, tomorrow could
well be a day Smith gets a shot at redeeming that overthrow that cost his
country a Test. If he can do it, the stakes will be higher and the overthrow
could be a distant memory.
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