How to stop Smith from team India’s fast bowler

Former England captain Michael Atherton is keen to see what strategies India has for a batsman like fast bowler Steve Smith when he visits Australia later this year. Smith and David Warner were facing a one-year ban when India visited Australia in 2018-19.

India then won the series 2–1 and named the series for the first time on Australian soil. Atherton said in Sony Ten’s program ‘Pit Stop’, ‘I will be very curious to see how India strategizes for him (Smith). They have a different way of batting. He is unconventional, but I enjoy watching his batting.

He said, “I think the game becomes better when it is played by some people who have a completely different way of playing.” Atherton, however, said that in the presence of good fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma, the match has become equal.

He said, ‘The reason why Indian cricket fans would expect this is his strong bowling attack. It is very difficult to win in Australia without a good fast bowling attack. Atherton also believes that Rohit Sharma can succeed on Australia’s bouncy pitches due to his ability to play strokes.