WTC Final: “No Glaring Weakness In Steve Smith’s Game” – Nasser Hussain

Steve Smith played a crucial role in helping Australia win the ICC World Test Championship final against India at the Oval. He scored 121 in the first innings and a crucial 34 in the second innings before he fell to Ravindra Jadeja.

Smith will now look forward to taking on England in the upcoming Ashes 2023 series. He averages over 60 in Test matches in this country and is eager to continue his good form. The runs he scored in the WTC final were the ideal hitout he needed ahead of the big Ashes series.

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In his column for the Daily Mail, former England skipper Nasser Hussain said that there is no glaring weakness in Steve Smith’s technique and he is perhaps batting his best at the moment.

Also Read: WTC Final: Rohit Sharma Breaks Multiple Records After His Valiant 43 Runs At Oval; Goes Past Sachin Tendulkar And MS Dhoni

Steev Smith Has An Exceptional Record In England: Nasser Hussain

“The bad news for England is that there’s no glaring weakness in Steve Smith’s game. It’s why he averages 60 in Tests. And it’s why, unlike some Australians in recent years, he has an exceptional record in this country. His first-innings century against India in the World Test Championship final was the latest example.”

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He further wrote that England should dismiss Smith inside his first 20 or 30 deliveries by bowling on the fourth stump channel just outside the off stump.

Also Read: 5 Indian Players Who Should Retire From Tests Ahead Of New WTC Cycle

England Should Dismiss Steve Smith In His First 20 To 30 Balls: Nasser Hussain

“India bowled back of a length to Smith for too long and he works those deliveries to leg more easily than anyone I’ve ever seen. By the time they went fuller he had his eye in. But if England don’t have any joy with pinning him leg-before after 20 or 30 balls, they can think about going a bit wider of the crease and targeting that fourth stump outside off. You might then slip in a fullish ball on the pads in an attempt to surprise him but, as a fielding captain, you might allow yourself only one or two of those a day once Smith is set. Otherwise you risk giving him runs.”

Talking about the WTC final, Australia won the match by 209 runs with Steve Smith scoring 155 runs in the match and taking three catches two of which were to dismiss Virat Kohli. India chasing a record 444 to win in the second innings was bowled out for 234.

Also Read: 5 Indian Players Who Will Be Sidelined From Tests Ahead Of New WTC Cycle

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