Smith backs ‘relentless’ Aussie pace attack in Lyon’s absence
The Aussie talisman offered rationale behind the absence of the veteran off-spinner for the pink-ball Test against the West Indies.
Australia star Steve Smith believes that while the absence of experienced offie Nathan Lyon from the playing XI for the third Test against West Indies ‘felt odd’, the conditions at Sabina Park demanded so.
Speaking after the end of the opening day’s play, Smith conceded that the decision to add in an extra seamer in Scott Boland for Lyon, who has 9 wickets in the series, was to juice the most out of the pink ball.
“It's odd not having him out there. Most of us have played pretty much every game with him but conditions are conditions,” Smith shared.
“We saw today how much seam was on offer and Scott Boland is not too bad at that as we've seen on numerous occasions.
“It's a pretty relentless attack, pink ball, it's a tricky one. Nathan is an exceptional bowler. It's certainly nothing to do with his skill for sure.
“In the morning, the four guys are going to go at it and be relentless. Hopefully we can take those wickets quickly.”
Having won the toss and electing to bat first, Australia were dismissed for 225 in their first innings on Day 1.
Smith would finish with 48 runs - highest for the visitors. Australia pulled one back as Mitchell Starc - featuring in his 100th Test - removed Kevlon Anderson before stumps.
Elaborating on how difficult the conditions were for the batters, Smith added, “It definitely sped up after the break. Before the break, I think the balls were losing 16 Km off the wicket and after the break they were losing 5 Km.
“Certainly felt like the wicket sped up a bit, it was a bit skiddy, but there was still plenty in it. Still felt like there was seam all day. Quite a slow outfield, so think it's a reasonable total.”
Smith also admitted that while the movement on the ball adds to the intensity of a pink-ball Test - making it more of a challenge for him as a batter.
“The pink ball, in general, is just a completely different game. Yeah, personally I find it quite tricky - picking the ball up at certain times of the day.
“And the way it behaves is completely different to the red one.
“People like the spectacle, but as a player, particularly as a batter, it's very challenging. The games can change so quickly, which you probably don't get so much with the red ball.”
The Windies will resume second day’s play with 16 runs on the board for the loss of a sole wicket.
Australia had gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test ICC World Test Championship series, and sit atop the WTC standings in the new cycle.