Smith to don joker’s hat at WACA
The Australians are in a sombre mood after their crushing defeat in the second Ashes test at the Adelaide Oval. They are now in Perth awaiting the start of the third match of the series which they cannot afford to lose if they are to regain the little urn
that is with England.
Before action gets underway the Aussies who are yet to decide who amongst Steven Smith and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Michael-Beer-c1949 is to take the field tomorrow as the lone specialist spinner, however they have decided that Smith would be the ‘joker’ throughout their stay in Perth
as they bid to lighten up the mood in the camp.
"I've been told that I've got to come into the side and be fun," Smith said at the WACA. "For me, it's about having energy in the field and making sure I'm having fun and making sure everyone else around is having fun, whether it be telling a joke or something
like that. It's to make sure we're all upbeat and we're ready to go. I think that's something I can bring to this side."
The baby faced right armer has played two tests for his national team; the matches were played in tough conditions in England as the two sides squared the series 1-1.
The Australians lost the second test at Headingley Leeds where they were shot out for 88 runs in the first innings, although they lost the test there bowlers made a stunning comeback taking 7 Pakistani wickets in the second innings as they chased down a
175 run victory target.
The Aussies were indebted to a hard-hitting 77 by Smith in their second dig, and that was the only reason that they could fight on the last two days.
Smith belted the Pakistani bowlers around the park; he was severe on leg-spinning counterpart http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Danish-Kaneria-c1314 whom he smacked for 2 sixes in his brutal assault.
Smith recalls the knock fondly and hopes that he succeeds in having a similar affect on the Perth test where the Aussies are desperate for an inspirational performance from any one amongst the team.
"It's what I always wanted to do, play in the Australian side as a batsman," Smith said. "It's the pinnacle of Australian cricket, playing in Ashes series. I can't wait to get out there and have a crack.”
However, there are not many people who are fond of his batting technique and the list includes Australian captain Ricky Ponting.
Ponting, though, likes his never-say-die attitude and hopes it would have a knock on affect on the senior players in the line-up.
Many also believe that the right arm leg spin bowler has a long way to go before he becomes threatening at the international level. He has been labelled as more of a limited-over cricketer than a test one.
Despite the lack of belief in his abilities the national selectors have been forced to give him a break in the Ashes series after the failure of a string of Australian spinners including Nathan Hauritz who has fallen of the radar after impressive performances
last Australian season.
Smith would be hoping that he gets the nod for Perth yet it seems Beer is more likely to play considering the fact that he was brought into the team due to his experience of bowling on the bounciest and fastest track in the world.
The left armer is not a big spinner of the ball; his reliance is on the variations and the trajectory of his deliveries that can surprise the batsmen looking to go for runs.
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