Steve Smith doesn’t have a weakness against bouncers: Andrew McDonald
Steve Smith in action last year. (AP Photo)
India are welcome to subject Steve Smith to a bouncer barrage but the batsman is well-equipped to succeed against such strategy, Australia assistant coach Andrew McDonald said on Sunday.
Smith was concussed by a short-pitched delivery from Jofra Archer at Lord’s last year and was also bounced out several times by New Zealand speedster Neil Wagner last summer.
The top-ranked Test batsman can expect similar treatment from India but McDonald is unfazed by the prospect, pointing out that Smith bounced back from the Lord’s concussion with a double century at Old Trafford.
“Even in one-day cricket and T20 cricket, he’s been able to score runs with that plan being adopted by opponents,” said McDonald.
“So, I don’t necessarily see it as a weakness … they (India) can keep approaching it that way if they want.”
Virat Kohli and his men did try it when Australia played three one-day internationals in India earlier this year, and a repeat of the ploy wouldn’t surprise.
“It’s going to be a tactic a lot of bowling units will use against our top-line batters, especially with four men out in one-day cricket,” McDonald said.
