'All-rounder' Steve Smith to focus more on batting than bowling in winter Ashes

Young Australian all-rounder Steve Smith has said that he would be focusing more on scoring runs with the bat than taking wickets in the winter Ashes series, starting at the Gabba on November 21.

Beginning his Test career as Australia's spin bowler, Smith played every Test in the summer despite not being a part of the original Ashes squad and finished a very mixed tour with a breakthrough hundred in the final Test at the Oval and hopes to take those lessons into this series.

According to News.com.au, Smith said that he would be ready to score big runs and win games for his side by batting at number five, which would be his main focus in the series, even more than his bowling.

Smith also said that his patience while batting has improved a lot and has also increased his ability to be able to read the situation of the game and know what it takes at that moment, adding that if he can manage to bat for long periods at the Gabba, he is sure to have success.

Smith further said that he likes batting on the wickets that come onto the bat a bit better, adding that the ones in England were a little bit slower and a little bit dryer.