Steve Smith to double up with his leg breaks in the Ashes

Australia skipper Steve Smith will have to roll his arm before the Ashes starts as coach Darren Lehmann confirmed that Smith will join the Australian bowling attack with his leg spin. It is well-documented fact that he made his debut as a leg-spinner before transforming himself as a proper batsman.

Since he became a top-flight batter he gave up his bowling. But, Lehmann wanted him to use his secret weapon against the English team. While Australia don’t have any quality spinner other than Nathan Lyon, Smith has to double up to help his bowling attack.

O’Keeffe’s request

Meanwhile, former national team leg-spinner Kerry O’Keeffe became the latest personality to urge Smith to practice his leg spin, so he could help the bowling attack. At the Gabba Test in Brisbane Australia will deploy four expert fast bowlers. With no speciality all-rounder in the squad, Lehmann asked Smith to take up the charge and lead the team in the bowling department as well.

Since he switched on to become the No.1 Test batsman he hardly bowls. But given the pertaining circumstances, he has to take more responsibility for his team. He had picked 13 wickets in 25 matches under the leadership of Michael Clarke between 2013 and 2015.

The selectors had no proper choice to opt for as the all-rounder and thus choose Shaun Marsh for the No.6 position which means more or less they will be a bowler short.

Smith, on the other hand, had said that he was finding it increasingly difficult to fit bowling work into his already busy schedule. However, with neither Hilton Cartwright and Glenn Maxwell were picked up for the Ashes and Smith will have to take the extra burden.

“We didn’t play one last year so we were comfortable with three fast bowlers and Lyon,” Lehmann said. “So we’re really comfortable we can get 20 wickets with that.”

The first Test of the five-match series will start on November 23 at the Gabba.