http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DR-Smith-c1401 keen on justifying top-order position – Cricket News Update
Prior to his team’s second ODI against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 all-rounder Dwayne Smith claimed that he was relishing his recent place in the top-order, and eager to prove himself.
“I made a decision to move to the top order to give myself a chance,” Smith said. “The selectors have put their faith in me and I have received a lot of support from everyone around. I am relaxed and in a good frame of mind.”
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757. Currently, his career spans 10 Test matches and 80 ODIs – however, he has not managed to carve out a specific niche for
himself in the batting order, and in 64 ODI innings, has batted at all the positions in the order, from the opening spot to the 9th position (with the exception of number 4).
However, a recent run at the top of the order has suited him well. Batting at number 2, Smith scored 56 off 44 during the team’s 1st ODI against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 at Southampton on June 16. He followed that up with another impressive performance during
their only T20I against the Poms on June 24, opening alongside http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CH-Gayle-c1221 and contributing a vital 70.
The 29-year-old’s most recent performance came against the Kiwis, during the first ODI of an ongoing 5-match series, played in Kingston on July 5. Chasing a revised target of 136 from 33 overs (as per the D/L method), Smith established a mammoth 130-run
partnership with Gayle (63*), in addition to scoring an unbeaten 65 - an innings which boasted not only a high score, but also a consistent display which proved instrumental in guiding the team to their 9-wicket victory.
“I'm more experienced now and have a good understanding of what is required,” said the right-hander. “I know my role in the team and that is primarily to dig in and get good runs on the board. I can clear the boundary, but I also want to show I can play
quality innings and can get runs consistently.”
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