Mitchell Johnson shares ideas on how England can get Steve Smith out

Australia have pummeled the English side in the ongoing Ashes series as they after winning the third Test at the WACA have managed to regain the historic Urn. One man who has troubled the English side most is the Australian skipper Steve Smith. A terrific and composed century in the first Test and a powerful double ton in the 3rd Test has pushed Smith’s ratings higher as he attained the joint-second highest batting points ever in the ICC ratings.

With his unusual technique, the 29-year-old Smith has troubled almost every England bowler as they failed to get the man out cheap. At times it looked as if they’re not even thinking to get the Australian skipper out. Former Australia fast-bowler and Smith’s teammate Mitchell Johnson wrote a column in brisbanetimes.coo.au where he has tried to figure out a way to get the Australia skipper out.

Go Verbal

“If I had to bowl at him now, I would bowl like I did in the nets – I treated it like a match and bounced the c— out of him,” wrote Johnson. He also mentioned that he was surprised by the fact that the English bowlers didn’t give him verbals during the WACA Test.

He also wondered why Anderson was not brought in the attack when Steve Smith came in the bat. “When he did put Anderson on, he had a deep square-leg and a deep cover, giving him easy runs to let him into the game,” said Johnson who had played a huge role during the 2013-14 Ashes series.

Bouncers from round the stumps key

Johnson believes, Chris Woakes should’ve had bowled more bouncers at Smith. He also suggested that the bowlers should try to bowl bouncers to Smith from around the wicket.

He also mentioned in his article that England bowlers should try to make him drive from the 4th stump line. “Apart from bouncing him, I would bowl at Smith on the fourth stump then try to push him wider and wider before going for a yorker behind his legs. The main thing is to get him driving outside off-stump on the front foot, but England were much too short of a length,” he mentioned.