As England have just played a meaningless Twenty20 international against New Zealand (tagged at the end of a tour, just what is the point?) and Australia are netting ahead of their tour opener, the Ashes phoney war will have to suffice for this week’s offering.
A tradition that has escalated in recent years, the build-up to the series is dominated by throwaway comments, random predictions, shallow newspaper articles and general nonsense.
In no particular order, we’ve already had Michael Clarke saying that his team will play aggressively, Darren Lehmann questioning England’s style, Sam Billings (no, he won’t even get close to playing) saying the one-day victory over New Zealand will set the tone for the Ashes, and Graeme Swann doubting Steve Smith’s technique.
All harmless stuff and none really relative to the actual contest which opens in a couple of weeks. But as I said, there’s no cricket to talk about so I’ll go for my brother’s assessment of Smith instead.
Before you jump all over it and feign outrage at who has said what and who it’s about, there is some merit in what Graeme came out with.
“I still don’t think he’s got a great technique. He must have surprised himself, as well as everyone else, with his output. The trick for him is to try to keep that going. Whether he can, time will tell. I don’t think he’ll score runs at three if it’s swinging,” he was quoted as saying in the press.
The statistics over the past year or so indicate that Smith’s idiosyncratic method must have something going for it as you can’t rack up those kind of numbers on a wing and a prayer.
Yet if Australia’s number three is being assessed on a purely technical level, anyone with a basic knowledge of batting technique wouldn’t be hard pushed to jot a few things down in the cons column.
In simple terms it comes down to the number of moving parts. Smith, in stark contrast to David Warner for example, is like a cat on hot bricks.
There is the exaggerated shuffle in front of the stumps – far more pronounced than a year ago – a head that moves more than your average because of it and a backlift that is pronounced and airy.
In some ways it reminds me of Jim Furyk’s golf swing in that it is far from orthodox but it gets results, and there are simple reasons for this.
When swinging a golf club, as long as the face of the club meets the ball square on and is on the right path for the final few feet of its downward journey, then the outcome should generally take care of itself.
Batting has similarities in that if the bat meets the ball correctly and from a stable position then more will go right than wrong. Smith falls into this category.
When playing at less than his best, and this is what Graeme hinted at, he plays away from his body, the front foot doesn’t move out to the ball particularly far as the sideways movement prevents it, and the bat comes down across the line because of the angle it approaches from.
But when all is in sync, and this goes for all batsmen, the result usurps the practicalities and all talk around it becomes irrelevant.
If I was an England bowler, Jimmy Anderson especially, I’d fancy a go at Smith with a swinging ball for all that has been mentioned above. But, and it will have been noted, if his strengths are fed then trouble could ensue.
Look at any video of Smith’s recent exploits and you’ll see a batsman in a still position when the ball is being delivered, a bat coming down straight, and feet that are moving decisively. In a nutshell, all the ingredients for success.
Smith isn’t technically perfect, few are, and there are areas that can be targeted, but whether they are and he plays ball is another question entirely.
clark bushnell
Guest
The real problem for England is that Sith has an eye like a dead fish and if he is able to negotiate the first few overs he tends to make attacks pay in a big way, and usually in the first innings with his ability to be inventive with his strokemaking and accelerated scoring.. His fidgeting and crotchgrabbing protector adjustments are, like I. Chappell, a means to refocussing after each delivery but he mostly reminds me of one D. Walters in his prime. He might not do it all the time but he will do it once or twice this series, and that just may be enough to win two tests, backed as he will be by a relentless pace attack that hunts as a pack.
Not So Smart Alec
Guest
Never mind the feigned outrage, Alec. We're just gobsmacked that you lot haven't shaken off your delusion. It's staggering.
Joel
Roar Rookie
India thought he was an lbw candidate last summer too. See how that worked out for them?
Joel
Roar Rookie
His ugly technique is more likely to benefit him when his form does dip. He proved against the WI that he can survive against good quality bowling even if it looks bad and then capitalise later in the innings, whereas almost every aussie batsman has been guilty in the last few years of not doing enough to survive against a good attack.
James
Guest
but thats what we all do! were you around on roar during the 2010 or so ashes when england won 3-1 in australia? there was no one around. the same way that english fans were nowhere to be found during the last ashes here.
James
Guest
call someone a pom if you want to be crass but an immigrant is hardly an abuse when it comes to australia, pretty much everyone who watches cricket is at best a 5th or so generation australian and most way less.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
But Watson's reasons for getting out LBW would be very different to Smith's (if he does).
Sideline Comm.
Guest
See, your mistake their James was bothering to reply to someone whose handle is "Wallaby Thrasher" all in capitals.
Lancey5times
Guest
Yeah that's a pretty good nut
Joel
Roar Rookie
england started making their excuses for losing this series a while back. when the series is over and they've been trounced all you'll hear from captain and coach is about all of the off field distractions in the lead up and how they are in a transition phase with a young(er) team etc.
JJ
Guest
what's your point? clearly another immigrant who is trying to get a reaction.
Rod
Guest
I'm pretty sure similar comments were made about Bradman back in the day. I can only hope Smith goes as badly as he did!
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
In the case of Chanderpaul even into his 40's!
Bobbo7
Guest
Totally gree re Kane Williamson. Maybe I'm a touch biased as an NZ cricket fan but his technique is very tight and probably the reason he just keeps making runs in all forms. Great to finally have a guy of that class so young who also seems to have a very steady head. The battle between Smith, Root, Williamson and Kohli will be interesting in the coming years. I can see them all as future captains too.
Jameswm
Guest
The hot foot shuffle worked fine for Katich and Chanders well into their 30s.
Jameswm
Guest
Ummm...didn't our cricketers just win the world cup?
Eski
Guest
early in his career his technique was Terrible, he still has the bat twirl in his bat lift I would definitely agree his technique is sensational
JGK
Roar Guru
To be fair - that sort of delivery would trouble any batsman, regardless of technique.
WALLABY THRASHER
Guest
You haven't done it in England for 14 years anger!
WALLABY THRASHER
Guest
You australians never learn. Before every major sporting contest we get these loud mouthed claims and then Australian teams come home with tails between legs to a barrage of abuse. look, I reckon the Australian womens' football team is the only decent Australiain sporting outfit just now