Steve Smith

Steve Smith of Australia celebrates reaching 150 runs during Day 2 of the First Test between Australia and the West Indies, as part of the West Indies tour of Australia, at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia, 01 December 2022. Photo: EPA/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT

Steve Smith eager to overcome bogey team Proteas

Steve Smith hopes to take his excellent form from the West Indies series into the contests against South Africa.

Steve Smith

Steve Smith of Australia celebrates reaching 150 runs during Day 2 of the First Test between Australia and the West Indies, as part of the West Indies tour of Australia, at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia, 01 December 2022. Photo: EPA/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT

Steve Smith hopes to take his excellent form from the West Indies series into the contests against South Africa.

Steve Smith hoping for runs against the Proteas

Smith is out to end a poor sequence of scores against South Africa in Test cricket.

Steve Smith
Steve Smith. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

He is keen to rise to the challenge of taking on the Proteas bowlers.

“I’m really excited,” Smith said according to ESPN Cricinfo

“South Africa is probably the one team, they’ve bowled pretty well to me in the past, my record is probably not quite as good against them as some of the others.

“Some of the bowlers I’ll come up against, I’ve come up against previously. I’m really looking forward to the series like everyone else. Hopefully, I can get into a nice groove.”

He is now fully focused on South Africa after putting the West Indies away in a day/night Test.

“I feel in a good place, batting nicely, feel in good rhythm and I’m looking forward to it,” Smith said. “Had a hit against the red ball this morning in preparation, just changing from the pink, so the focus can now completely go to South Africa and I can’t wait.”

Rising to the challenge

ALSO READ: Olympic hero Bridgitte Hartley relishing Maritzburg College coaching role

Steve Smith expects the varied South African attack to test the Australian batting more than the West Indies were able to.

“You play what’s in front of you,” Smith said. “Sometimes when you are facing faster bowlers it can be easier to score and things like that than if you’re facing someone bowling 130kph and nibbling them around.

“That’s the key to any attack, having that kind of variety so you’re never getting into a rhythm as a batter. I think South Africa provide that; they have Nortje bowling 150kph, Rabada 140-150, then a left-armer in Jansen, and a good spinner in Maharaj. It will be a good challenge for our batters and hopefully, we can continue the way we’ve started the summer.”