Steve Smith was looking forward to his first Test as captain. He said here on Tuesday, “We’re all excited about coming into this second Test and trying to go two-nil up in this series.”
On the changes in the Australian pace attack, Smith said, “Ryan Harris pulled up a little bit stiff and sore from Adelaide. He has got a slight quad strain.”
Smith, at 25 the youngest Australian captain since Kim Hughes in 1979, added, “In regards to the inclusion of Mitchell Starc, we just wanted to play a bowler with a bit of extra pace and bounce.”
The new Australian captain said, “It’s very disappointing for Peter Siddle who has been a terrific bowler over a long period of time. He’s certainly not out of the loop.”
ExcitingGiving his opinion on young fast bowler Josh Hazelwood, Smith said, “He’s very exciting. I’ve watched Josh very closely over the last couple of years at New South Wales and he impresses me every time.
“I think he’s only getting better and better. I think this pitch out here will suit him perfectly. He’s very skilful for his age and I’m looking forward to seeing him zing a few through and bowl with that extra bit of pace and get that extra bit of bounce as well.”
Smith revealed he would be moving up to the No. 4 slot in the batting order.
“I’ve had a chat with a couple of the senior players and the coach about it and I just thought taking over the captaincy, and a bit of extra responsibility, that I would step up to No. 4 and get the job done there.” Dwelling on the pitch at the ’Gabba, Smith noted, “I think that’s part of the reason Starc and Hazlewood have been included in the team, that’s for sure.
Traditionally bouncyIt is a traditionally fast and bouncy wicket and it looks no different out there for this Test. Hopefully, after the wickets we’ve played on in Test cricket at the Adelaide Oval and the two in the UAE, it’s exciting for our fast bowlers to finally have something that’s going to have some liveliness to it.”
On whether Australia crossed the line with its aggression in Adelaide, Smith said, “We always play an aggressive and positive brand of cricket.
“There’s a line there and I think the fines said the line was overstepped. We’re going to continue to play aggressively and hopefully no one oversteps the line.”
Giving his thoughts on the terror attack in Sydney, Smith said, “I’d just like to on behalf of the team say our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the tragic incident in Sydney. It was shocking and we’re all thinking of everyone involved.”
