What makes Steve Smith tick?

[G_B_]

His technique is pretty good. Just because someone has an unconventional technique doesn't necessarily make it bad (and even if he does have a bad technique, he can still score runs e.g. Chanderpaul). I definitely don't think it is the home pitches either, because he has done pretty well in the past on other grounds. Indian bowling is weak, but he has big scores against other, better bowling attacks in the past as well. Of course, I'm not denying that he has some easy series ahead of him e.g. West Indies and England.

i somehow doubt both will be easy WI will roll of spinning decks. They do have the likes of Bishoo. England will do the same.

[HippoSucks]

i somehow doubt both will be easy WI will roll of spinning decks. They do have the likes of Bishoo. England will do the same.

Well I've caught some glimpses of West Indies' match against South Africa, and they never really looked to win. Their bowling was quite honestly trash, and their batting line up collapses even worse than India's (imagine that!). England I'm not so sure about, but their confidence is pretty low and they have too many inexperienced people being tried out.

[BlueBee]

Mathews young star?

:cantstop:

[MCGGG]

Simple technique and a good eye and temperament, pitches he's copped lately haven't hurt his cause either, he reads the length quickly (due to being a good limited overs player) and he can play spin, he's averaging over 50 for his career ATM! Time will tell if he can keep it up.

[Vijy]

It's not too hard to envision Smith, Kohli and Williamson finishing with career avgs over 50. However, they should iron out some chinks in their armor first.

[Gunner]

Flat pitches in all the tests are responsible for batsmen on both sides making merry. I'd reserve my judgement until Smith faces better bowling in more challenging conditions.

[Bigg Brother]

He was the only one who tried to provide resistance in UAE tour.

[zep1706]

Flat pitches and good temperament.

[Sid]

Our bowlers

[HippoSucks]

Our bowlers

And the Pakistani bowlers, and the South African bowlers, and the England bowlers. :giggle:

[Vijy]

And the Pakistani bowlers' date=' and the South African bowlers, and the England bowlers. :giggle:[/quote'] He didn't avg 130-odd against any of them :giggle:

[HippoSucks]

He didn't avg 130-odd against any of them :giggle:

But you can't say that he did well only because of the bowling attack, as others above (and on other threads) have said. I'm not arguing that the bowling attack's shortcomings didn't help, but they obviously weren't the only factor as Smith's been doing exceptional against other much better bowling attacks recently.

[Vijy]

But you can't say that he did well only because of the bowling attack' date=' as others above (and on other threads) have said. I'm not arguing that the bowling attack's shortcomings didn't help, but they obviously weren't the only factor as Smith's been doing exceptional against other much better bowling attacks recently.[/quote'] I wouldn't say it's only because of the popgun attack. He averaged 66 in SA, which is excellent of course. However, his avg in UAE was 43, around 40 in Ind and 38 in Eng (in 2013). I wouldn't call either of those exceptional. The fact is that the Indian attack has helped matters considerably. Our bowlers are renowned for their generosity of spirit (and bad balls).

[HippoSucks]

I wouldn't say it's only because of the popgun attack. He averaged 66 in SA' date=' which is excellent of course. However, his avg in UAE was 43, around 40 in Ind and 38 in Eng (in 2013). I wouldn't call either of those exceptional. The fact [b']is that the Indian attack has helped matters considerably. Our bowlers are renowned for their generosity of spirit (and bad balls).

He's been in this form pretty much only since 2014, in Tests and ODIs. As for England, I'm expecting him to easily get a 70+ average in the upcoming Ashes.

[Vijy]

He's been in this form pretty much only since 2014' date=' in Tests and ODIs. As for England, I'm expecting him to easily get a 70+ average in the upcoming Ashes.[/quote'] All I'm saying is that these things should be tempered. Pujara had two years where he mostly played on home tracks (and in SA) where he averaged around 75. Smith's 2014 has been golden, but as I pointed out above, he played in quite a few series where his avg was good, but not great. It's premature elevating Matthews, Smith, Kohli, Williamson, etc based on 1 year, etc. Not trying to diss anyone here... always good to see rising batsmen and bowlers. I think many of them will go on to do well.