Short Ball Not A Weakness For Steve Smith, Says Andrew McDonald | Cricket News
Australia assistant coach Andrew McDonald on Sunday said that Steve Smith does not have a weakness against the short ball and he will have no problem if Indian bowlers resort to bowling bouncers at him. India and Australia are slated to face off against each other in three ODIs, three T20Is, and four Tests. India and Australia will first play against each other in ODIs and T20Is and then both sides will shift their attention to the longest format of the game.
“I don’t think it’s (short-ball) actually a weakness. I think they’re taking a shot at that area to get him out early and then what you’ll see after that initial potential plan, they will go to a more standard plan to try and negate the runs,” ESPNCricinfo quoted Mcdonald as saying.
“I think they’ve used it before and as I’ve said he’s done well before so I’m suggesting that plan hasn’t necessarily worked to its full effect. I know in the Test match he had that moment with Archer where it got him but in terms of coming back off that he was able to score runs. Even in one-day cricket, he was able to score and in T20 cricket he’s been able to score runs with that plan being adopted by opponents. I don’t necessarily see it as a weakness but they can keep approaching that way if they want,” he added.
Smith suffered a concussion last year as he was hit on the helmet by Jofra Archer during the Ashes and he was subsequently targeted by New Zealand’s Neil Wagner last year.
