Australian run-machine Steve Smith has dared the lethal Indian fast bowling unit to bring on the short stuff in the upcoming marquee Test series, saying he has faced a lot of it in his life. Famously called as ‘clash of heavyweights’, the Border-Gavaskar Test series will begin on December 17 in Adelaide. According to the former captain – Smith, trying short-pitched bowling against him could work in Australia’s favour.
Smith’s supposed vulnerability against the short ball was visible during New Zealand’s last tour of Australia where he fell four times to Black Caps pacer Neil Wagner set fields for short-pitched bowling. “If teams are trying to get me out like that it’s probably a big benefit for the team because it takes a lot out of people’s bodies if you continually bowl short,” Smith told News Corp.
Against New Zealand in the 2019-2020 season, Smith was consistently attacked by the Kiwi pacers with short-pitched deliveries aimed at his body.
Smith, though, still managed to average nearly 43 in the three matches and wore the bowlers down with his dogged approach in the middle, helping the others to pile on the runs.
“It’s no dramas for me. I just play the game and sum up the conditions, how they’re trying to get me out and being able to counter that,” Smith said.
