Steve Smith was selective and worked on his technique very smartly: Sachin Tendulkar

Tendulkar also explained what Smith did wrong when he was hit by the bouncer and what changes he made in the last two Tests to tackle the pace. 

Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday praised Steve Smith following his tremendous run of form during the recently-concluded Ashes.

The Australian right-hander, making a comeback to Test cricket following his one-year suspension in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal last year, scored 774 runs across seven innings of the five Tests at an average of 110.57 in Ashes 2019.

Tendulkar said that Smith, who is currently the number one batsman in the longest format of the game, has “complicated technique” but his “organised mindset” does the trick for him and sets him apart from his contemporaries.

ALSO READ: If Steve Smith was Indian, his batting technique would just be accepted: Trent Woodhill

“COMPLICATED TECHNIQUE but an ORGANIZED MINDSET is what sets @stevesmith49 apart. Incredible comeback!#ENGvsAUS,” Tendulkar had tweeted earlier.

COMPLICATED TECHNIQUE but an ORGANIZED MINDSET is what sets @stevesmith49 apart. Incredible comeback!#ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/02MNGkYQ7y

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 5, 2019

Tendulkar then went on to explain why Smith, despite his unorthodox batting style, succeeds. “In the first Test, the English bowlers tried to get him caught behind the wickets with slips and gully in place,” Tendulkar said.

“And Smith just shuffled across and exposed his leg stumps to cover the line, and was selective and smart in his approach,” continued Tendulkar.

ALSO READ: Steve Smith in a class of his own and other talking points

“At Lord’s, they had leg-slip for him on occasions and a few short-pitched deliveries against Jofra Archer got him in trouble as he tried to cover the line with the weight on his back-foot,” added the batting maestro.

This is my take on @SteveSmith49’s recent success in the Ashes. pic.twitter.com/qUNktHt5ps

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 19, 2019

While Smith was hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer during the second Ashes Test at Lord’s and had to sit out of the third Test following a concussion, he took off where he had left and scored a double ton in the fourth Test.

ALSO READ: It meant a lot to have that reception from the crowd today, says Steve Smith

Tendulkar went on to explain what Smith did wrong when he was hit by the bouncer and what changes Smith made in the last two Tests to tackle the pace.

“The most important thing for any batsman is to keep the head position forward and wait leaning forward or marginally in-line,” said Tendulkar.

ALSO READ: I believe Steve Smith will captain Australia again: Mark Taylor

“Smith got into bad positions and that’s how he probably got hit. In the final two Tests, he was leaving the ball while leaning forward, and looked in better positions. He worked on his technique very smartly. That is why I say, ‘complicated technique, but extremely organised mindset’,” concluded Tendulkar.

About the Author