Doubts over Steve Smith's technique- absolute rubbish says teammate Mitchell Johnson

Doubts over Steve Smith’s technique- absolute rubbish says teammate Mitchell Johnson: Mitchell Johnson the one who tortured England in the Ashes a year and a half ago, has vehemently defended Steve Smith and has scatted his doubters saying that their skeptical attitude over Smith’s technique is “absolute rubbish”.

Smith had performed exceedingly well and made light work of India at home and the West Indies away, averaging an eye popping 153 in first innings knocks since the start of the Australian summer. It wasn’t enough to impress former England off-spinner Graeme Swann, who retired midway through the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash, nor current England paceman Stuart Broad.

Both decided Smith’s unusual technique would be exposed by English conditions, the swinging ball and a move up the order to No.3. “There was a lot of talk about Steve not being able to bat in these conditions, which I thought was absolute rubbish in the first place,” Johnson said after Smith’s magnificent 215 put Australia in a commanding position on Friday.

“He’s done it in so many different conditions around the world and was No.1 in the world. The way he played, it was such a mature innings. It was probably the best I’ve seen him play a cricket innings.” Swann and Broad were both at it again on Friday.

“You think these are typical English conditions? More like India old boy,” Swann tweeted in response to a query about Smith’s knock.

“How did he go last week when it was swinging?
He later backtracked, giving Smith the credit he deserved: “Oz were brilliant today. Hats off to Steve smith for making me look a right mug! Wicket is still a road though, I’m backing the draw. Cookie to ton up.” His tweet read.

Broad apparently harped on the same note as his former teammate early on. “Well these are more Indian conditions than English conditions, aren’t they?” Broad beamed.

“He’s obviously a fantastic player, (but) if we get Steve against the new Dukes ball it’s the best time to get any batsman out. “Unfortunately we didn’t make a breakthrough early in the first innings.”

Swann’s tweets read: