the big bambino
International Captain
I haven’t caught up with all of the Lords test thread but have seen talk about whether Archer has Smith’s number. Archer’s bowling has been impressive, more so when he’s kept it up and achieved seam. He’s been hard to face but felt his bouncer sometimes released pressure until late yesterday.
He delivers close to the stumps and it seemed to me delivered his bumper wide of or in line with off stump. That line might be easier to play for some players than others. Smith’s walk across style seems to put him in line with Archer’s short ball where he doesn’t have the choice to leave it meaning he has to decide to play it or somehow avoid it after he’s moved all his weight to get there. So I think his style maybe vulnerable to Archer’s short ball line.
I’m sure Smith is a realist and will admit the problem he encountered with Archer and will be thinking how to deal with him. Hopefully he’ll listen to Steve Waugh who dealt awkwardly but successfully with the short ball. First thing is he’ll have to recover his mental balance. I admire his courage but batting angry will undermine his success. Perhaps adopt the Sutcliffe tactic and refuse to hook until he’s got 40 or weathered the bowler’s fury. I think his walk across method still works if he formulates a plan for the Archer bumper and sticks with it. Sticking to a plan is one of his strengths. Oh - and wear an arm guard.
He delivers close to the stumps and it seemed to me delivered his bumper wide of or in line with off stump. That line might be easier to play for some players than others. Smith’s walk across style seems to put him in line with Archer’s short ball where he doesn’t have the choice to leave it meaning he has to decide to play it or somehow avoid it after he’s moved all his weight to get there. So I think his style maybe vulnerable to Archer’s short ball line.
I’m sure Smith is a realist and will admit the problem he encountered with Archer and will be thinking how to deal with him. Hopefully he’ll listen to Steve Waugh who dealt awkwardly but successfully with the short ball. First thing is he’ll have to recover his mental balance. I admire his courage but batting angry will undermine his success. Perhaps adopt the Sutcliffe tactic and refuse to hook until he’s got 40 or weathered the bowler’s fury. I think his walk across method still works if he formulates a plan for the Archer bumper and sticks with it. Sticking to a plan is one of his strengths. Oh - and wear an arm guard.