Steve Smith bats for change in rule regarding leg-side bouncers

The legendary Steve Smith suggested that there should be a limitation to the number of leg-side bouncers that can be bowled by a bowler. The previous Australian captain remarked that when a pace bowler persistently bowls leg-side bouncers with a heavily packed leg-side field, the batter struggles to hit the ball straight down the ground.

Therefore, Smith opined that a pacer should be given a warning after he bowls one or two leg-side bouncers and after that, the umpires should start deeming those deliveries as wides. He drew comparisons with how left-arm spinners bowling over-the-wicket to right-handers get warned for intentionally bowling outside the line of the leg-stump, and eventually the deliveries are called as wides when they don't relent.

"I think there could be some slight rule changes in terms of balls going down the leg-side when you set that field. You really can't hit the ball anywhere in front of the wicket, and I feel like it is almost like when a (left-arm) spinner comes over-the-wicket and they get the warning down the leg-side and then they start getting 'wided'. If you're bowling balls consistently in that area down the leg, it should be a similar ruling to the spinner, if that makes sense. Basically, bowl one or two, then get a warning, and then get wides called," Smith was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.

"To have those catchers (fielders) there in position, it can be challenging for sure. The only thing I'd like to see is if you get too much down leg, you can't really score anywhere else, and all the fielders are there. That would be the only change I wouldn't mind seeing," added Smith.

The experienced campaigner scored 31 before getting caught behind on Day 1 of the first Test between New Zealand and Australia in Wellington. Cameron Green remained unbeaten on 103 off 155 as Australia ended the day on 279/9 in 85 overs.

Steve Smith heaped praise on Neil Wagner's bouncer accuracy

Neil Wagner has accumulated an impressive tally of wickets in his distinguished cricketing career, largely attributable to his adeptness to bowling sharp and accurate short-pitched deliveries.

"Ultimately, it is a good skill what Neil's been able to do, the way he can get the ball between throat and chest height consistently, not bowl his two (bouncers) for the over, and just carry on doing it. It's a good skill and it can be challenging, particularly for guys that are pullers of the ball," Smith stated.

Also Read: NZ vs AUS: Retired Neil Wagner comes out as substitute fielder on Day 1