Langer’s warning over Smith slump

Melbourne: It would be harsh to label it a form slump this early on. But by his own lofty standards, Steve Smith’s summer hasn’t gone to plan.

The former Australia captain, who boasts a remarkable test batting average of 63.14, has made just 99 runs in four innings at home.

He’s yet to post a half-century in Australia’s three consecutive test wins over Pakistan (twice) and New Zealand.

“It would be [irking him] because he loves batting so much,” coach Justin Langer said ahead of the Boxing Day test.

“But if you’re playing good cricket, the team’s winning and Steve Smith’s not doing well, it puts a smile on everyone’s face because you know it’s not far off.

“Anyone who averages 63 in test cricket, you know they’re coming, and he loves the big stage.

“I’m looking forward to watching him bat.”

Smith, who has posted 26 career hundreds and 27 fifties in 71 test matches, produced knocks of 43 and 16 in the first test against New Zealand.

He predicted he’d face more of the short-pitched barrage that the visitors dished up in Perth, which prompted comparisons to the infamous Bodyline Ashes series of 1932-33.

“I’ve changed a little bit, as in I’ve been facing a fair bit of short stuff in the nets because I’m expecting a bit,” Smith said.

Smith admitted he has struggled at times against the pink ball, which was used in the Perth and

Brisbane day-night tests this summer.

The 30-year-old right-hander said the pink ball comes off the bat “a bit like a tennis ball”, is harder to pick up than the red one, and that his timing is off when facing it.

He is relishing the prospect of the Trans-Tasman series switching back to the red ball in Melbourne.

“It’s going to be completely different with the red ball as opposed to the pink ball,” Smith said.-AAP