Smith’s batting may force rewriting of ‘manuals’
london — Steve Smith’s unorthodox batting technique is not something a purist will advocate to budding players, but his monstrous run-scoring ability might force coaching manuals to be rewritten, former Australia cricketer Adam Gilchrist has said.
Twitchy at the crease, Smith extravagantly shuffles across his stumps with his bat’s backlift pointing towards gully — all a strict no when youngsters are learning the art of batting.
But in his inimitable style, the 30-year-old Smith has scored 671 runs in five innings during the Ashes at an average of 134.2 and has climbed to the top of the test rankings for batsmen despite sitting a year out due to a ban.
“Years ago, Smith had a lean patch with the bat, and had to step away for a bit,” former wicketkeeper-batsman Gilchrist told reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday. “He tried to change his technique, but later decided to stay true to his game.
“To stick to your guns when all the cricketing greats, coaches and textbooks say you are wrong” that takes real courage. And now everyone is watching him bat in amazement, and trying to learn from him.
“The textbooks on batting technique may need to be rewritten.” Australian cricket was thrown into turmoil 18 months ago when Smith, his vice-captain David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft were banned for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.
Smith and Warner have been repeatedly booed and mocked by the crowds in England and while Warner has scored just 79 runs from eight innings during the Ashes, Smith has seen himself compared to Australian great Don Bradman. —