Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Smith feels primed for big summer despite hip niggle

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Saturday, 26 November 2022 23:56
Steven Smith says the technical change that unlocked his "ultimate" batting set-up is made for Test cricket, with only a self-inflicted hip injury slowing him down in Perth.

Feeling as good as he did during his prime, Smith had limited involvement at an optional training session on Sunday before Wednesday's first Test against West Indies.

The 33-year-old hit a nerve using his pso-rite, a u-shaped device designed for athletes to help loosen the psoas muscles that run from the lumbar spine to the groin.

"It was just me being just silly to be honest," Smith said. "I was hitting myself in the psoas, trying to loosen that up and I got a little low and I hit a little nerve or something. My hip is a little bit grumbly...but all will be fine."

His technical shift has been a year in the making, after believing he had got his hands right last summer before working on his feet recently.

In last month's ODIs against England, Smith was notably much stiller with his distinctive back-and-across movement gone.

The change came after Smith made a point to return his technique to where it was in 2014-15, when he averaged 128.16 against India.

In turn, it has prompted Smith to agree with a Greg Chappell column where the former captain said Smith's changes could make him better than ever.

"The reason for the changes in long-form cricket, I felt as if I was getting a bit too front-on on the back foot," Smith said. "If you're too front on you can follow the ball if it nips away from you. Or you're not getting into positions that are where I wanted to be to leave the ball as well.

"Where I've got to right now is the ultimate for me. I feel like I don't have to work as hard to access the offside with my body and my hands. I can just play with a nice flow."

The other marker for Smith is in his pull shot. Chappell had suggested Smith's issues had come after he was floored by Jofra Archer in the 2019 Ashes, with bowlers such as he and Neil Wagner able to follow Smith's movements.

But with his changes, Smith feels as if he has opened up his options on the back foot and is better placed to handle any bouncer barrage.

"I was still quite front on [when hit by Archer] and I was only being able to help [pull shots] on their way behind square," Smith said. "Whereas using power in front of square is something I've probably done a bit better throughout my career.

"I think when I hit that first pull shot [against England] in Adelaide through midwicket it was kind of like, 'wow, I've actually got my bottom hand back'. And then being in that position where I'm more side-on with short stuff. I feel like I was able to get out of the way of one that Olly Stone bowled really easily."
Read 121 times

Soccer

Prem chief Masters warns regulation a 'big risk'

Prem chief Masters warns regulation a 'big risk'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe introduction of an independent regulator for English soccer rep...

Arteta: Chelsea spending means success will come

Arteta: Chelsea spending means success will come

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMikel Arteta has backed Chelsea to come good under Mauricio Pochett...

Source: Tuchel eyeing Premier League return

Source: Tuchel eyeing Premier League return

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel's preference is to return to th...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Source: Lakers' Vanderbilt targeting Game 3 return

Source: Lakers' Vanderbilt targeting Game 3 return

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, sidelined since Feb. 1...

Sources: Mediation set for Wolves sale dispute

Sources: Mediation set for Wolves sale dispute

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Minnesota Timberwolves' ownership dispute between majority owne...

Baseball

Rays closer Fairbanks to IL with nerve issues

Rays closer Fairbanks to IL with nerve issues

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays placed struggling closer...

Orioles OF Hays (left calf) placed on 10-day IL

Orioles OF Hays (left calf) placed on 10-day IL

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Baltimore Orioles placed outfielder Austin H...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated