'Can't remember being unsure two days out' - Steve Smith opens up on pitch confusion ahead of Ahmedabad Test

Australia’s stand-in skipper Steve Smith remains in the dark, with two surfaces being available at the Narendra Modi Stadium, and he remains in a state of confusion thinking which one will be used for the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy beginning on Thursday, March 9. 

At Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, Australia will look to level the Test series following their comprehensive victory over the hosts in the third Test held in Indore. However, hours before the crucial game, the pitch under covers is causing confusion in Smith's mind as he prepares himself to lead the side again.

"[There] might have been a couple of [pitches] prepared maybe a bit longer out than two days but I can't remember two days. I didn't go out and have a look in the afternoon but Alex Carey did. It looked completely different, a lot drier in the afternoon," Smith was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

"It's very hot here, 37 degrees, which gives it a chance to dry out and I think that the cover was on for a bit today. So they're potentially worried that it's drying out too much. It certainly changed in a few hours. Having a look today we'll be able to potentially see what it's going to do," he added.

Smith seeking valuable contributions from lower-order batters

Smith is looking for more runs from his tailenders as he feels that the big difference between his team and the hosts is lack of a player with the abilities of Axar Patel, who has been playing his part brilliantly while batting down the order, and helping his side get those crucial runs towards the end stages of the innings. 

"The tail is something we've spoken about, probably as batters [they] haven't contributed as much as we would have liked. That's been a big difference when you see someone like Axar who has been incredibly difficult to get out. And in terms of our top six versus their top six, there's not a huge difference in averages for the series," he added.

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