SCOREKEEPER
Smith has been enduring a streak of horror in the ongoing Test series against India, having played no major shots so far.
The series is currently tied at 1-1 after India secured an eight-wicket win in game two here on Tuesday.
“I probably haven’t played Ashwin as well as I would have liked. I probably would have liked to have put him under a little more pressure,” Smith told SEN Radio about his fights against Ashwin, who fired him for nothing. in the first innings of the game that just ended.
“In a way I let him dictate the terms and that is something that I have probably never let any spinner do in my career. In some way I have taken it, I have been a little more aggressive and I have made them change things,” he lamented . .
Ashwin, for his part, said he understands Smith’s importance in the Australian lineup and plans hard for him.
“Coming to Australia and if you can’t get Steven Smith out, it will always be an uphill task,” he told Channel 7.
“It pretty much holds the batting lineup together.”
Smith, 31, said he’s desperate to stay in the fold during a long inning, which has not happened to him this year.
“It’s kind of a two-edged sword in a way, but I think I have to have the confidence to take it on and play my game,” Smith said.
“Right now I’m looking for time in between, that’s the most important thing for me. When I look at this year, 64 balls is the longest I’ve spent in between, during those one-day games.
“For me, that’s important. I find a lot of rhythm in the middle. You can hit as much as you want in the networks but there is nothing that can replicate what a game can do, so for me it is what I am. Looking for right now. “.
But he acknowledged that it won’t be easy for him given that the Indian bowling attack has been relentlessly precise.
“That can be difficult to do, particularly in a test match when you have some quality bowlers.”
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