Steve Smith : I’m searching for time in the middle

Steve Smith has reckoned that he is searching for rhythm at the moment which he can only get back if he spends an adequate amount of time in the middle.

This has been quite a sedate series for Steve Smith who has managed just 10 runs at 3.33 during the first two Test matches so far a duck and eight in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG becoming a stark contrast from his average of 113.50 in seven previous Tests at the venue.

He has looked very tentative in the middle, with his agility not being compounded by a long stay out there. There have been a lot of questions and Smith also admitted that by saying he is searching to bide time in the middle.

“At the moment I’m searching for time in the middle; that’s the most important thing for me. When I look at this year, 64 balls is the longest I’ve spent in the middle, during those one-day games,” Smith told SEN on Tuesday.

“For me, that’s important. I find a lot of rhythm out in the middle. You can bat as much as you want in the nets but there’s nothing that can replicate what a game can do so that for me is what I’m searching for at the moment.

“That can be tough to do, particularly in a Test match when you’ve got some quality bowlers.”

Smith admits to Ashwin strangle

Ravichandran Ashwin had his number two out of the three times he has been dismissed so far, with the offie employing his bag of tricks to fool the legendary batsman. Smith admitted that no spinner has ever strangulated him as Ashwin has in the ongoing series.

“I probably haven’t played Ashwin as well as I would’ve liked; I probably would’ve liked to have put him under a bit more pressure. I’ve sort of let him dictate terms and that’s something I’ve probably never let any spinner do in my career.

“I’ve sort of taken it to them, been a bit more aggressive, and made them change things. I haven’t allowed that to happen, probably because I’m searching for just being out there for long enough,” the New South Wales boy added.