Australian middle order batsman Steven Smith said it will become tougher and tougher to play on the wicket as the play progresses in the fourth Test at Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium.
“It’s probably not a Day One wicket that I’m used to playing on. It’s broken up a fair bit to start up with. It’s going to get tougher and tougher to bat throughout this match and 231 at the end of the day is not a bad day. Hopefully we can score another 50 runs on Saturday to put up a competitive first-innings total on this wicket,” he said.
Smith, who staged the Aussie recovery with a fighting 46, said he spent a lot of time at the nets in the first two Tests. “For me it was about finding a way to first survive and then score runs. For me it’s about having fast feet, trying to get down the wicket and taking advantage of the fields they’ve set. I was also watching the ball as hard as I can and trying to play with the spin as much as possible.”
Asked about the top order failure, Smith said the toughest period is when the spinners come on with the hard ball. “With the new ball the first couple of overs, it is easier to bat than when the spinners come on with the harder ball, I think that’s probably the toughest period. As the ball gets softer it gets a little bit easier.”
According to Smith, Peter Siddle played straight right from the word go. “He came in and played straight. He played well from ball one. He played the line and had the full face of the bat. He showed us how to play against quality spinners.”