I have matured as a Test batsman: Smith

Image
Press Trust of India Mumbai
Last Updated : May 08 2014 | 9:35 AM IST
Young Australian batsman Steven Smith, who is playing for Rajasthan Royals in this season's Indian Premier League, feels he has matured as a Test batsman but is also eager to regain his spot in his country's limited overs team.
"When I first started playing I played as a spinner and then when I got the opportunity as a batsman I was not quite ready either. To come back a couple of years later with a bit more experience and few more big runs has benefited me a lot," the 24-year-old Smith told PTI while responding to a questionnaire.
"Over the last couple of years it's been a big development. I have been trying to get my batting right in all three forms of the game. I think I proved myself a little bit in Test cricket and I will work myself into ODIs and T20, it's not too far away," he said.
"I was a little bit disappointed (at not being part of the Australian World T20 squad). But I have plenty of time to keep playing all three formats. It was nice to get a little bit of rest and prepare for the next 18 months," he added.
Smith, who started his career as a leg break bowler but has now become a batsman-all rounder, feels he belongs to the Test level after waiting for 12 games to get his first hundred, an unbeaten 138 against England in the Ashes Test at the Oval in August last year.
"To me, I guess, a sense of belonging was there. I worked very hard on my game for the last 18 months. To get a couple of hundreds under my belt makes me feel I belong (to Test level). I worked hard on tightening up my technique, to become more patient when batting in Tests and it has paid off recently."
Smith has added three more tons after his maiden hundred, - in the space of four Tests - and one of them came against South Africa at Centurion in February.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: May 08 2014 | 9:35 AM IST

Next Story