Melbourne, May 28 : Australian all-rounder Steve Smith believes that Michael Clarke’s close relationship with former leg-spinner Shane Warne has educated the new captain in the ways of attacking with spin bowling. “Spinners need the right fields and Michael Clarke is a very, very good captain of spin,” Fox Sports quoted Smith, as saying.
“He’s a big believer in giving a bit of protection when you start off and when you get into your spell bring your men in. Warnie was a big believer in that as well.” “He thought if you had your men out and brought them in you were attacking. If you had to push men out it felt like you were retreating and the batsmen were on top. I think that’s something Michael’s got from Shane by being good friends with him and that will help me out a lot with my bowling,” he added. Smith and Clarke are likely to get their first chance to work together in a Test series during the Sri Lanka tour in August.
The 21-year-old, who is currently recuperating from an ankle surgery, hopes to start bowling within a month before attending the squad’s pre-tour camp at Brisbane’s Centre of Excellence in July. With off-spinner Nathan Hauritz still recovering from shoulder surgery, Smith shapes as an important player in Sri Lanka conditions.
© ANI
