Steven Smith

[aussie1st]

How to being his career? As a batter that bowls a bit or the sole spinner?

STEVEN SMITH'S match-winning turn in the Caribbean reinforced Greg Chappell's view that the young all-rounder has the talent needed to help Australia regain the Ashes.

Smith boasts a first-class batting average of 56.22 in 13 games, which suggests that by batting in the top seven he could co-exist in the Test team with established off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

''He is [part of the Ashes plans] in my view,'' Chappell said. ''In Australia, through the history of cricket, good wrist-spin bowling has been very successful and I think he has the capabilities to do that, and it gives you the opportunity to play two spinners. Remember that Richie Benaud played for three or four years as a batsman predominantly, and bowled the odd over here or there. I can see Steve Smith doing that in the early days of his career.''

Smith must be in Ashes team, says Chappell

I would have him in as a batter as his efforts last season with the bat suggest hes more than capable of playing in the top 7. North probably secured his spot so its unlikely Smith will be able to break into the side come the Ashes.

 

[War]

No way for the Ashes. Although Smithy has bowled very solidy in the T20 WC. He technically has had it quiet easy with the pace trio running through teams top orders.

He hasn't yet had to bowl with the score 60/1 after 6 overs or 100/1 or something. But i guess given the way the quicks have bowled, he may not get that chance to bowl in such a pressure situation :laugh.

AUS selectors need not to rush him into the test set-up. But i'd be willing to pick him ahead of Hauritz in the ODI side when AUS come to England this summer though.

 

[McLOVIN]

He should play test. He could easily replace good for nothing Ritz

 

[shravi]

Let him concentrate on his batting. He should play as a batting all rounder as his batting is better than his bowling at this stage in his career. More importantly, in FC Cricket, which prepares you for test cricket, he has contributed much more with the bat than the ball. Apart from his 7/64, he hasn't really done much with the ball. By playing him at 8, you may weaken his batting in the long run as he won't get too many opportunities to play himself in and play long innings.

 

[angryangy]

He could slot in at six, but he's not ready to be the sole spinner in a Test team.

 

[aussie1st]

By playing him at 8, you may weaken his batting in the long run as he won't get too many opportunities to play himself in and play long innings.

Warne was talking about him focusing more on his bowling rather than his batting. He said his leg spin should be his main priority.

If he does end up in the side as a top 7 batsmen, I don't think he'll be in the team for his bowling alone as his batting looks to be good enough to stay as a batsmen for a long time. We also have a few bowlers that can bat a bit so we still have a bright future for lower order batsmen.

 

[TumTum]

Don't think those runs he made at domestic level should really tell of his batting ability. Should concentrate solely on his bowling, and maybe one day he will be in the Test side as a specialist spinner.

 

[angryangy]

You just don't want him keeping Hughes out of the Test team.

 

[Cricketdude]

You just don't want him keeping Hughes out of the Test team.

True

 

[aussie1st]

For those that missed his magic

I didn't see the earlier match but going by the commentators, they said Smith was turning it more than them.

 

[TumTum]

Jee Syl there is no holding you back now

Looks like I need to upload some Hughes videos, can't find any on youtube

 

[aussie1st]

Hehe well hopefully he doesn't get dropped as I seem to fall a bit off that player i.e. Hughes and Warner. Still a big fan but not as big as I was when they made their debut.

Surprised no one put up his 6 to bring up his debut 100, that deserved a youtube video.

 

[TumTum]

Hehe well hopefully he doesn't get dropped as I seem to fall a bit off that player i.e. Hughes and Warner. Still a big fan but not as big as I was when they made their debut.

Surprised no one put up his 6 to bring up his debut 100, that deserved a youtube video.

I know a few highlight places, might combine his innings in SA, NZ and a bit of the CL against T&T.

I was also thinking of making a video about some catches Smith took, that will be one hell of a show.

 

[sifter132]

Warne was talking about him focusing more on his bowling rather than his batting. He said his leg spin should be his main priority.

I agree with Warney. To me he's not like a Cameron White type player, he's more a Brad Hogg type player to me. By all means keep the batting strong, but I think if he plays Test cricket it's going to be because he's our best leggie, not because he's one of our best 6 batsmen.

In a couple of years I can see a lineup where Haddin plays 6, Smith at 7 and Johnson at 8 to give more bowling options and letting us play 2 spinners if needed. I think that lineup would work well in India for example. It's a bit like the Prior, Flintoff, Broad kind of lineup from the last Ashes. Similar batting abilities and doesn't weaken the team too much particularly if your 9 can bat too like Swann. Smith's arrival in the team may also correspond with Watson's decline in bowling. I imagine in a couple of years time it will be getting harder for Watson to pump out the overs regularly and maintain his pace and health. So bringing in Smith to be the all-rounder would be good for balance too and would let Watson focus more on his batting.

I imagine his ODI cricket arrival would be the same, batting at #7 probably instead of Hopes and giving the option of playing 2 spinners for the World Cup or 4 quicks below him. But it all hinges on him being able to bowl good leg spin and preferably attacking leg spin like we've seen in this T20 World Cup. If he can't bowl well I don't think he makes the team in ANY format.

Oh, I should add: I don't think Smith plays in the Ashes unless there is trouble. Hauritz getting belted, or Australia trailing in the series, or extra rough looking decks at Adelaide and Sydney would be his best chances for selection.

 

[TumTum]

Surprised no one put up his 6 to bring up his debut 100, that deserved a youtube video.

Done Check my signature

Love the look on Kallis & Ntini's face, they are like "WTF how could he just do that, that was a wicket ball!!" :laugh