Ashes 2017-18: Darren Lehman Predicts Steven Smith to Bowl in Brisbane

Nov 19, 2017 at 1:56 PM

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Ashes 2017-18: Darren Lehman Predicts Steven Smith to Bowl in Brisbane

In an exciting development, Australia head coach Darren Lehmann predicted skipper Steven Smith could send down more overs at Gabba in the curtain raiser of the impending Ashes 2017-18.

“He’ll have to bowl at some stage, I’m sure,” Lehmann was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia.

Steven Smith, Ashes 2017-18, Leg-spinner, Australia Vs England, Brisbane, Test, Darren Lehmann, Kerry O'Keffee
Lehmann backs four premium bowlers for the Gabba Test. Photo Credit: AP.

(Read Also: England’s tour of Australia: The Ashes 2017-18 — Series Preview)

To share the workload of premium bowlers for hosts, Lehmann remarked Smith has also claimed crucial wickets against England in the past which would further see him doing some exercise with the bowling.

“England are a quality side and he’s got some key wickets against England before. So he’ll bowl at some stage,” Lehmann added.

The hosts are expected to pick the four genuine bowlers for the first Test of the Magellan Ashes 2017-18 series which will kick off on November 23 at Gabba in Brisbane.

“We didn’t play one last year so we were comfortable with three fast bowlers and Lyon,” Lehmann further added.

Steven Smith, Ashes 2017-18, Leg-spinner, Australia Vs England, Brisbane, Test, Darren Lehmann, Kerry O'Keffee
Lehmann was appointed as Australia chief coach in 2013. Photo Credit: AP.

(Read Further: Ashes 2017/18: Cameron Bancroft Excited to Open the Innings With David Warner)

Lehmann reiterated the bowlers could collect 20 wickets while expressing the satisfaction with the set of bowlers Australia has inducted into the 13-member squad for the first two Tests.

With speedster Mitchell Starc all set to spearhead the pace bowling attack, Australia is highly-likely going to field senior campaigner and off-spinner Nathan Lyon in the series Down Under.

“So we’re really comfortable we can get 20 wickets with that,” Lehmann maintained.

Steven Smith, Ashes 2017-18, Leg-spinner, Australia Vs England, Brisbane, Test, Darren Lehmann, Kerry O'Keffee
Smith is expected to enjoy the bowling. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

With Smith all set to roll over his arm in the series opener, it’s is further expected leg-spinner could be handy on the surface.

Interestingly, in 2010, the 27-year-old Smith made his debut as a leg-spinner against Pakistan at Melbourne.

From going strength to strength, Smith had evolved himself to become one of the best batsmen in the contemporary cricket.

Smith has expressed a lack of enthusiasm for the bowling, but the wrist spinner could be asked to deliver more overs from time-to-time with the red cherry against Joe Root-led England in the gruelling five-match series.

“We’re always trying to make him bowl. He’ll certainly bowl some during the series,” Lehmann asserted.

Steven Smith, Ashes 2017-18, Leg-spinner, Australia Vs England, Brisbane, Test, Darren Lehmann, Kerry O'Keffee
It’s first Ashes series for Smith and Joe Root as well as a team leader. Photo Credit: Web.

While shouldering the responsibility, Smith has been at the forefront with the bat for Australia, as he is averaging at the staggering 59.66 in the Test format.

Stationing himself in the slips most of the times, Smith has further worked hard on his batting which subsequently saw him claiming 17 scalps in 42 innings.

On the other side, former Kangaroos leg-spinner Kerry O’Keeffe also urged Smith to go ahead with the ball.

In 56 Tests, Smith amassed 5,370 runs, as he smashed 20-hundred and 21 fifties after featuring in 104 innings.

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Smith’s reluctance with the ball could be explained by his stats which eventually saw him sent down 1,243 deliveries in 42-Test innings. His best Test bowling figures are three for 18 which came against England during the 2013 Ashes fixture at iconic Lord’s.

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