Stuart Broad tries to psych out Steve Smith (or psych in himself):
England plot Steve Smith's downfall
“He’s obviously had a fantastic 18 months since he’s changed his technique a bit. I’ve got a few ideas to run past a few players that seem to think it might be a good option. I won’t share them with you yet. But I think it’s an advantage for us with him coming in at No3 with the Dukes ball in England. I think if he comes in at five like Joe Root does for us there’s not many weaknesses there."
“But with the ball moving around in England we know how hard it is to bat in that top three. I’m certainly not doubting the quality of him as a player, he’s a wonderful player and I enjoy watching him play when I’m not bowling at him."
“But you have to have a very tight technique to bat in the top three against the Dukes ball in England and it’s up to us as an opening attack to get an early wicket and get him in early against the new ball because he’s not had amazing success in England. When he played in the 2013 series he got a hundred at the Oval on a flat wicket. We’ll be looking to try and test his technique with a Dukes ball early.”
There is a bit of a difference between saying you have a plan and actually having a plan. There is more to getting Steve Smith out than merely saying "Dukes, Dukes, Dukes". That said, Test cricket is all about working out a batsman's weaknesses, so it will be fascinating to see whether Smith can prosper at three, against a different ball and in different conditions to those he has recently encountered.
He is our best batsman. Our best batsman should bat at three. If they work him out, good on them. I'm backing Smith to win the war over 5 tests. the odd battle might go their way.
Posted by: philsgone | Monday, June 29, 2015 at 12:06 PM
If he doesnt get a ton in the first dig at Cardiff, they can put that down as a win, given his last 12 months form.
Posted by: philsgone | Monday, June 29, 2015 at 12:09 PM
If they really want to mentally disintegrate Smith, they should dig up a net bowler from a few years back. Sure fire winner http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/the-ashes/the-ashes-2015-mark-wood-reveals-incident-with-shane-watson-during-2009-series/story-e6frf3gl-1227419565859
Posted by: Nick | Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM
First test at Cardiff? Shudder...
Posted by: m0nty | Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 12:48 PM
The Test ruined the rest of the series, and cost us the Ashes. I mean, was there any single solitary doubt that blowing the "W" Wales (ales?) blew the series?
Posted by: Tony Tea | Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 01:08 PM
Marcus North debut hundred. they were the days - of spinners who couldnt clean up the tail. Hauritz/Clarke/Kattich/North bowled 50 overs in their second dig.
Posted by: philsgone | Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 04:49 PM
Did North make a ton is South Africa?
Posted by: Tony Tea | Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 06:08 PM
Excuse this n00b, but I was assuming movement in the air, Terry Alderman being the finest recent example I can think of. Do you think he meant movement off the pitch as well?
Which of England's bowlers have the current form and/or potential to be the Mover and Shaker in Chief?
Posted by: Big Ramifications | Wednesday, July 01, 2015 at 08:25 AM