T20 has helped people improve skills: Steve Smith

"For me, in batting, it’s about having those gears to be able to go up and down and know when to get off strike and go to the other end."

After an extraordinary home series against India and in the World Cup Steve Smith’s reputation has sky rocketed; the Rajasthan Royals now see him as a key player to its progress in IPL-8. The young Australian responded to the following questions, most of it related to Twenty20.

Q. What makes you play Twenty20?

A. For the same reasons the fans love the game. It’s short and it’s sharp. It is dynamic and electric. It’s a great game to be involved with. It certainly helps other formats of the game. In Test cricket, the way some guys go out and play and score at 4 and 5 runs an over; something that you would not have seen before T20 cricket came in. I think it has really changed the way cricket is being played, and that is probably for the better.

Q. Is IPL the best to have happened in modern times?

A. I think it’s a great tournament, to come over to in India and be able to play in these conditions with and against the best players from around the world. It is a great learning experience. I have really enjoyed being involved in this tournament.

Q. Have batsmen become fearless?

A. When T20 first started, it was a bit of hit and go, one tried to hit the first ball for a six. Twenty20 has changed quite a bit, lot of strategies come in now. Some times it’s not about going out there and hitting 4s and 6s, it is about building an innings, doing things a little bit smarter and at the right time. It certainly helped people improve skills, it really helped me evolve in the shorter format of the game and to be able to time the run chase and things like that. That’s why T20 is great.

Q. Only players equipped with strong fundamentals can meet with success in this format?

A. Absolutely there’s no reason why this can’t be the case. I think it’s great for all formats. Sometimes in Test cricket, you might have to go harder to try and get your team to win a match. Everyone can play all formats of the game.

Q. Do you think IPL set the trend or the contract system followed by most countries to motivate players?

A. There are a lot of T20 tournaments around the world. It’s really taken off. It’s great to play. Fans love watching it; they love to see the ball hit out of the ground and love the innovation. And how fast the game is. It is no different for the players. We are all really enjoying being involved in it.

Q. What are the adjustments you have had to make?

A. I don’t really like to change too much. The fundamentals will stay the same. For me, in batting, it’s about having those gears to be able to go up and down and know when to get off strike and go to the other end. For me, it’s about knowing at what time to go harder and which bowlers to attack. That’s probably the big one for me.

Q. Twenty20 has changed a lot in fielding?

A. It takes a lot of hard work. I really set high standards for myself on the field and want to be the one to take that game-breaking catch. Fielding is such a big part of T20 cricket. You see so many close games now and if you can save 10-15 runs in the field, it makes a big difference; you know chasing potentially 175 and 160, that’s quite a big difference in 20 overs of cricket. You will find a lot of games are won by a team’s fielding effort.

Q. Australian cricketers have been a major force in IPL ? Has CA been more accommodating?

A. They have done pretty done well with that. The schedules are obviously very busy these days with lots of cricket played. It’s good the Australian players have not missed much of the IPL since it started. That is a good think and hopefully it continues.

Q. How different is IPL from Big Bash?

A. It’s a bit different. The way you play in india, the stands are filled every game. Obviously, the conditions are a little bit different. The fundamentals of the game are still the same, it’s another T20 game. It’s amazing the way T20 is run in India. It is incredible.

Q. Do you see Ricky Ponting looking to become Australia’s coach in the future?

A. He is involved with Mumbai Indians at the moment and I think he is enjoying his role. Not really sure where he is heading with his coaching career, to be honest.