After failing to register noticeable knocks in his first three innings as an opener in Test cricket, Steve Smith finally got a big score to his name when he came out to bat in his second innings of the recently-concluded second match against West Indies in Brisbane. Smith remained not out at the score of 91 at a time when the Australian batters had no reply for pacer Shamar Joseph, who wreaked havoc by picking 7 wickets in the innings. Thanks to Smith’s well-knit knock, he now averages 60 as an opener in Test cricket.
“There was a lot of commentary around I’d failed in two or three innings – I had a not out and two low scores. Now I’m averaging 60 as an opener,” Smith said at the MCG on Wednesday.
“It was just another position; I’ve battled against the new ball numerous times, coming in early. I’ve enjoyed the first couple of weeks of it…if they see fit to move me back down, I’ll do whatever the team needs,” the former Australia captain added.
Injured pace bowler Shamar Joseph produced a stunning spell of fast bowling to lead his side to one of the greatest upsets in Test history to stun Australia by eight runs in Brisbane on Sunday.
The West Indies, who brought an understrength side to Australia for the Test series, gave debuts to four players, including Joseph, in the two Tests.
They were beaten inside three days in Adelaide last week and were expected to suffer a similar fate in the day-night Test in Brisbane.
But after bowling Australia out for 207 in the second session Sunday, the West Indies recorded their first win in Australia since they last tasted victory in Perth in 1997.
Joseph was outstanding Sunday, bowling 11.5 overs of hostile pace to finish with 7-68 in just his second Test.
“I overheard a conversation, I think we were seven down just before lunch and I overheard him speaking to [West Indies captain] Kraigg [Brathwaite]… he’s [Joseph] like, ‘I’m bowling to the end, man’,” Smith said.
“He’s a rare talent and I think it’s great for cricket what he was able to do and see the West Indies competing like they did. He just kept coming in, and actually probably bowled faster at the end rather than the start,” he added.
(With AFP Inputs)
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