Steven Smith Attributes Patience and Preparations for Rich Run of Form
Steven Smith, the scourge of India's bowlers on the recent tour to Australia when he scored four centuries and two half centuries in the four-Test rubber for the Gavaskar-Border Trophy, felt the exposure of playing against these bowlers helped a lot in his preparations.
Australia's captain-in-waiting, Steve Smith, attributes calm demeanour and the repetitive process of getting ready for the on-field battle as mantras for his highly successful run over the last few years.
"Probably just my patience and preparations. I am preparing the same way for every game, making sure I am doing the same things over and over with my routines," Smith told PTI in an interaction when asked the secret of his success.('Never Tired of Batting')
"When I get out in the middle I am starting the same each time and trying to build an innings, give myself a chance before I start playing any big shots. That's probably the secret to my success," he explained.(Smith Emulates Bradman, Kallis)
Smith, the scourge of India's bowlers on the recent tour to Australia when he scored four centuries and two half centuries in the four-Test rubber for the Gavaskar-Border Trophy, felt the exposure of playing against these bowlers helped a lot in his preparations.
"We knew what to expect from Indian bowlers. A lot of their bowlers, I have seen quite a bit. It's part of international cricket. It was just one of those things that every time I came up against them I managed to get some runs. It was a good (Australian) summer for me," he said modestly.
The "good summer" fetched the boyish-looking Smith -who also excelled in the subsequent World Cup for champions Australia by logging 402 runs in 8 games at a superb average of 67 - a whopping 769 runs at an average of 128.
His four Test tons included a near double of 192 in the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in which he was also the team's captain.