Bowl short to Australia at your risk: Steve Smith

Steve Smith during practice session

Sydney, March 24 (IANS) Ahead of their high-voltage semi-final clash against India, Australia's batsman Steve Smith on Tuesday said that India's target to play on a supposed Australian vulnerability against the short ball could backfire on the defending champions. Pakistani fast bowler Wahab Riaz's wonder spell in the quarter-final prompted some people, led by former Pakistan captain and 1992 World Cup winning team member Inzamam-ul-Haq, to say the left-armer had exposed an Australian weakness against short and express bowling.

Australia's future captain is adamant they do not have any headaches in general against the short-pitched bowling and doubts whether the ploy will work at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

"I don't think so. A couple of guys have got out to the short ball and that is just part and parcel of the game. You have got to get out some way," Smith was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.

"For us, we are expecting them to come out and potentially bowl a little bit too short for this wicket. If they try and jam them on this wicket, it might suit us with these quick boundaries. It could play into our hands," he added.

About his current form, Smith said: "I didn't feel out of form. I just felt like I was out of sync a little bit with a few of my movements. But that's back, my swing's back where I want it to be, so hopefully I can continue crunching India around the park."

The 25-year-old now marks his guard just outside leg, an approach he admits has stumped some teammates during the World Cup.

"It has fooled a few people, 'Pup' (Clarke) came out... and said 'what's going on out there?’ I ask for leg stump and then I just pull it this way a little bit (towards leg side), so there is a mark in the middle of nowhere out there," he said.