Ashes 2017-18: Darren Lehman Predicts Steven Smith to Bowl in Brisbane
Nov 19, 2017 at 1:56 PM
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.
(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.
(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.
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.
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.
VIDEO OF THE DAY:
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.