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Steve Smith says India could play into Australia’s hands if they unleash a bouncer barrage in Thursday’s World Cup semi-final at the SCG.
Pakistan paceman Wahab Riaz terrorised the likes of Michael Clarke and Shane Watson in a short-pitched salvo during last week’s quarter-final.
Clarke was out for eight when he fended a ball to Sohaib Maqsood at short leg, while Watson was dropped early in his match-winning knock after being worked over.
Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq opined Wahab exposed a weakness in the World Cup co-hosts.
“The way he made Shane hop and jump not only made the match look fascinating, but also exposed Australia’s vulnerability against short and express fast bowling,” Inzamam said.
Smith believed it would be chin music to the ears of his teammates.
“We are expecting them to come out and potentially bowl a little bit too short for this wicket,” Smith said.
“If they try and jam them on this wicket it might suit us with these quick boundaries. It could play into our hands.”
Smith disagreed that Australia had a weakness against the short ball.
“A couple of guys have got out to the short ball and that is just part and parcel of the game, you have got to get out some way.”
India don’t have a left-armer capable of creating the same awkward angles, but that hasn’t stopped some pundits suggesting they should try to replicate Wahab’s spell.
Mohammed Shami, who has taken 17 wickets at an average of 13.29 in the tournament, is, however, one Indian quick that has used the bouncer to good effect over the past six weeks.
“He has been really impressive,” Brett Lee, who claimed 380 ODI wickets for Australia, said of Shami.
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