1st Test, Edgbaston. Australia reeling after having won the toss and electing to bat. 8 down for a measly 122, the visitors looked all but done. Talks about a 5-0 were already starting and the Hollies Stand were up and about, with the Barmy Army being as loud as they could possibly be.
Amidst all of this, there was a man from Australia going about his work with utmost ease. Making his comeback to test cricket after a year and a half, it didn’t look like it had any impact on his technique or frame of mind. Steve Smith, the Australian no.4 looked like he was batting on a different surface as compared to his teammates. He played the likes of Stuart Broad with barely any issues whatsoever. While everyone around him didn’t even get in, Smith seemed like he had half a second more to face every single delivery. With a technique like his, nobody would have imagined that he would average anywhere close to 50 in test cricket. He averages 62.
The man from Sydney continued his act in the second innings too, with 144 and 142 next to his name in the 2 innings respectively. It is an example of mindset surpassing technique. It is about finding a way to score runs, even if it means looking unorthodox and weirdly fidgety in the way that you play. Effectiveness > Looking good. Because at the end of the day, as long as you keep the scoreboard ticking, there will be no talks about HOW you got your runs. These two innings from Steve Smith were prime examples of grit, determination and perseverance paying off at the top level. He is well on his way to become one of the best Test cricketers Australia has ever produced.
-Vibhor Dubey
The Average Cricketer 