Matthew Wade Confident Of Steve Smith Returning To Form

Jan 3, 2021 at 5:40 PM

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Matthew Wade Confident Of Steve Smith Returning To Form

Matthew Wade, Australian batsman has expressed confidence that Steve Smith will overcome his struggles against Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the last two Tests against India.

Ravichandran Ashwin has troubled Steve Smith in the first two Tests, dismissing him cheaply twice – once caught at slip and then at leg-slip. Steve Smith, the centurion in first 2 ODIs have scored only 10 runs averaging a dismal 3.33 in 2 Tests and 4 innings.

Steve Smith
Steve Smith. Image Credit: Getty Images.

Matthew Wade Enjoyed Batting As Opener And Is Sure Steve Smith Will Be Fine Overcoming His Difficulties

Speaking about Steve Smith’s struggles against Ravichandran Ashwin, Matthew Wade spoke to ANI during a virtual press conference by terming Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as tough to handle as Australia need to find a way to tackle the duo.

“I think they (India) have bowled terrifically well, especially in Melbourne there was more spin and bounce, we did not expect it to come into play as it did, we did not adapt quick enough to that wicket, Steve has played against Ashwin plenty of times before this, Smith has been successful over here and I am sure he will be fine, no problems at all.

‘Ashwin and Jadeja are a difficult spin duo, they are very consistent and we need to find a way, that’s the nature of the beast.”

Matthew Wade
Matthew Wade. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Matthew Wade opened in the first two Tests in absence of David Warner and Will Pucovski who are injured. However, with the return of the opening duo for the remaining two Tests, Matthew Wade could be slotted back in the middle-order as Travis Head could make way for him. Joe Burns another incumbent opener who was struggling for form has been axed.

“I have really enjoyed batting as an opener, I did not know what to expect going into the pink-ball Test, it’s not that different, you have to be cautious early, moving forward if the selectors want me to do this role, then I am comfortable doing it now.

“Will Pucovski has come back to the squad, I don’t know right now where I will bat, whether I play or not, who knows. I will prepare for where I have been batting, if I slide down the order, then also I am comfortable, ” the 33 year old added while sharing experience of opening the innings.

Matthew Wade has registered scores of 8, 33, 30 and 40 in the first two Tests. While David Warner and Will Pucovski, who is yet to debut are part of Australia’s updated Test squad for the last two Tests, struggling opener Joe Burns is now playing for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL) after being axed.

Matthew Wade: Not Worried And Can’t Do Much About Indian Affairs Outside Cricket Ground

Matthew Wade was also asked about his views on the Indian team’s dining controversy. Cricket Australia on Saturday informed that Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw and Navdeep Saini have been placed in isolation as a precautionary measure for eating at an indoor venue in Melbourne flouting stringent quarantine norms in place.

Matthew Wade responded: “What India is doing, I haven’t really thought too much about it, I have seen the photo, it is what it is, people a lot higher than me are sorting it out, as a group and me personally, we are not worried what India is doing outside of the cricket ground, we cannot do much about it.”

Cricketers Dining Outside
Cricketers Dining Outside

With the four-match Test series between India and Australia level at 1-1, the teams will now meet in the third Test at Sydney from January 7 followed by the Brisbane Test from January 15 which remains in doubt following India’s unwillingness to follow stringent quarantine norms at Queensland.

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