Australia vs India: Brad Hogg deciphers the methods to dismiss Steve Smith

Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg churned out some tactics, using which India could get the better of Steve Smith during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In 10 Tests against India, the 31-year-old Smith has notched 1429 runs at an average of 84.05 with seven centuries. Despite the ginormous numbers, Hogg reckons that it’s not impossible to get rid of the big fish.

The series is set to get underway with the Day-Night Adelaide Test, and Hogg feels that the Indian bowlers should be attacking the stumps, thereby bringing the LBW into play, rather than bowling outside the off-stump and letting him get his eyes in.

I wouldn’t have a sweeper at deep square leg for Steve Smith, says Hogg

“When Steve Smith first comes in, especially with this pink ball, if it’s swinging, attack the stumps with both the in-swing and the away-swing. I would have my point quite open and try to get him open the face and push that ball through that particular region. With the inswinger, you will try to get him LBW, ” Hogg was quoted as saying in a video on his YouTube channel.

As per the 49-year-old Hogg, off-spinner Ravi Ashwin has the potential to pin the right-hander as well. Hogg feels that Ashwin can use his height to good effect and tackle Smith with some extra bounce, and subsequently inducing a false stroke.

“With spin, I wouldn’t have a sweeper at deep square leg when he first comes in. I will bring him up and try to get Steve Smith to play that shot that he doesn’t want to play early on his innings. I would come over the wicket with Ashwin with that extra bounce. If Ashwin gets a little bit of spin, you are creating the LBW chance and the bat-pad chance,” he added.

Back in the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Smith smashed 769 runs from four games at an incredible average of 128.16 with four centuries. But he didn’t feature in the 2018-19 edition since he, along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, was serving the one-year suspension period. Smith recently scored two tons against India in the ODI series and that should keep him in good stead.