Skipper Smith calls for fresh batting approach
Australia skipper Steve Smith is considered thorough in his preparation. Smith was part of the team that imploded famously on the 2013 tour, and his first significant knock, 92 in the third Test in Mohali where the one-match ban to four players over their role in the ‘Homeworkgate’ affair made his role as batsman prominent.
After leading from the front in first Test in Pune, the Aussie skipper urged his batsmen to take the way they adapted to another level. Pune surface, and gradually aid spinners as the match wears on. But Australia will stick to the same eleven which played in Pune, with opener Matt Renshaw having recovered after suffering a stomach bug during the first game.
ADAPTING KEY
“First innings runs are going to be crucial, bat well for a period of time, post a big first innings score. That is what I make of it at this stage,” he told the media on Friday.
“We have to start again here,” he said. “It looks like it is going to be a different wicket. We have to win one more game to retain the Border-gavaskar Trophy. certain times, to get back into the game, and we could only be a couple of sessions into the game We have to come into the game with the mindset of adapt to this wicket. That is going to be cru cial.
“It’s about the mindset of bat ting for a period of time. The last wicket we played on, we thought 250 was a good total. Here, it’s going to be crucial to score big runs in the first innings.”