STEVE SMITH

Steve Smith is arguably the best Test batsman since Don Bradman, and he has very few weaknesses.

Almost every bowler who comes up against Smith has struggled, and some haven’t even come close to landing a blow.

However, there are some tiny chinks in the armour, which England will have to try and exploit if they’re to have any success this summer.

Smith averages ‘just’ 34 when facing the very quickest bowlers in the world, those operating up above 145kph.

Famously, in 2017/18 England had almost no pace in their seam attack, with only a fraction of their deliveries up above 140kph, let alone any faster.

While they would ideally have arrived on this upcoming tour with three high pace options - the absence of Jofra Archer and to a lesser extent Olly Stone will be keenly felt - the presence of Mark Wood makes a substantial difference.

Wood is among the fastest bowlers in the world, and while Joe Root has struggled to manage him in terms of not over-bowling such a fragile asset, England know what they have. In South Africa at the start of 2020, Wood was devastating with the Kookaburra ball, and his ability to hit those high speeds could be what England need to claw Smith from the crease.

Another bowler who England need to perform, in attempting to dismiss Smith throughout the summer, is Jack Leach.

Last year, India had huge success with Ravichandran Ashwin limiting Smith, exploiting the little turn on offer to the absolute maximum.

Leach is nowhere near in Ashwin’s class, and has struggled against Smith in the past (his averaging of 110 against him in 2019 was hurt by ‘dismissing’ Smith off a no-ball), but on paper he has the chance to do well.

Smith famously “struggles” against left-arm finger spin, averaging less against it than any other bowling type, and even though his record against it in Australia is improved, he scores slower against it than other bowlers even at home.

Leach may have to play a holding role against Smith, but he’s well placed to perform the role effectively.