Top 5 current batsmen and their weaknesses

1. Steve Smith – Short ball directed at his body

Steve Smith was not getting out at all in the Ashes last year. He plundered runs for fun and England tried all kinds of tricks to dismiss him but all in vain. However, in the home series against New Zealand, Smith couldn’t get going. No, there is no technical fault in his batting. It is a well directed short ball at his body which ruffles him up the most.

Even while facing Jofra Archer in the Ashes, Smith was vulnerable after he was hit just below the neck in the second Test. Against New Zealand, it was Neil Wagner who came over the wicket and kept bowling at his body to eke out a pull shot out of frustration from the batsman.

It was clearly a trap as a leg-gully was in place and the deep square leg fielder was always waiting for the catch to come. Wagner turned out to be Smith’s nemesis in the three-match series as he got him out four times in five innings. So a consistent short ball barrage without conceding much runs could frustrate Smith and eventually, a pull shot can get him out.