I've let Ravi Ashwin dictate terms to me, I never let any spinner do that: Steve Smith

Australian batsman Steve Smith has admitted that he has let Ravi Ashwin get under his skin during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The ICC’s number-one ranked Test batter has had a torrid time in the four-match series, scoring a mere 10 runs at a disastrous average of 3.33. In the Day-Night Adelaide Test, Ashwin opened Smith up and found his outside edge.

In the first innings of the second Test at the MCG, Ashwin got Smith caught down the leg-side. It goes without saying that Ashwin’s happiness knew no bounds and Smith had to return without any success. Talking about getting out to him, the Aussie batsman said that he would have liked to put pressure on the Indian tweaker with a bit of aggression.

I’ve sort of taken it to them, says Steve Smith

“I probably haven’t played Ashwin as well as I would’ve liked. I probably would’ve liked to have put him under a bit more pressure,” Smith was quoted as saying in SEN Radio.

“I’ve sort of let him dictate terms and that’s something I’ve probably never let any spinner do in my career. I’ve sort of taken it to them, been a bit more aggressive and made them change things,” he stated.

The 31-year-old said that he is eager to put his head down and play a long inning, something which he hasn’t done this year. Smith also lauded the Indian bowling attack for their performance.

“It’s kind of a two-edged sword in a way, but I think I’ve just got to have the confidence to take it on and play my game. At the moment I’m searching for time in the middle; that’s the most important thing for me. When I look at this year, 64 balls is the longest I’ve spent in the middle, during those one-day games,” Smith added.

The Aussies won the Adelaide Test but squandered the advantage as India drew the equaliser in Melbourne. With a Test average, which still stands in excess of 60, the New South Wales-born Smith is expected to make amends sooner than later. The third Test gets underway on January 7.