Sometimes I need to do a boxing session to let out all my pent up anger: Steven Smith

Australia skipper Steven Smith is facing severe heat at home. This is perhaps the first time in his test career, that he has hit a road block so tough that many have been made to believe this might be the start of his decline as a skipper. After a disastrous home loss in the first Test against South Africa at the WACA, the pressure is undoubtedly intensifying on the skipper despite all the attempt to save his team post-match press conference.

“The preparation methods for the home side have got a twist, especially Steven Smith who now spends his time boxing to vent out the frustration of underperforming with bat. Sometimes I need to do a boxing session to let out all my pent up anger, and that’s exactly what I’ve done on this occasion. I was so angry with myself for getting out close to the end of play, with the Test pretty much in the balance, that I couldn’t just go back to the team hotel and rest. So I called up our strength and conditioning coach and asked if he could meet me in the gym.”

“After I was given out lbw in the first innings, I think my displeasure was pretty obvious on the field. I was angry at the time, but having looked back at the replays from Hawkeye that showed the ball was hitting the stumps, I can’t have too many complaints.”

The last four series which Australia has played have been ended in defeats (South Africa, England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). All this bashing has had a very bad effect on Australian cricket. The worrying factor is there seem to be no signs of improvement. The loss at South Africa has hit them much harder than al the previous loss. A loss in a series opener at home is certainly something that is indigestible in the Australia cricketing circles.

“Unfortunately I still have some feelings of frustration because we lost the first Test, and I understand that a lot of people around the country are frustrated too. My message to those people is simple: we are trying our absolute hardest to win matches of cricket for Australia. We know we need to be playing better cricket to get the results we want and the public expects.”

Bad performances attract criticism. Australian cricket legend Shane Warne has blasted captain Steve Smith’s tactics as Australia’s performance in the first Test against South Africa went from bad to worse on Sunday.

Warne did not hold back while assessing of Smith’s game plan and slammed him for bringing off-spinner Nathan Lyon into the attack only after trying out the fast bowler multiple times.

“I heard about the criticism that Michael Clarke and Shane Warne had about the way I used Nathan Lyon, and I discussed it with Michael afterwards. The way I saw it out there was that reverse swing was the biggest factor in the game at the time – there was no spin – so I wanted to keep the ball in the hands of the fast bowlers, who I believed could get the job done.”

“When Nathan bowls it can actually flatten the rough side of the ball up a bit and stop it from reversing, so I didn’t want that to happen. I explained that to ‘Gaz’ on the field and it wasn’t an issue.”

Australia will be seeing a slew of changes in the upcoming Hobart game. Top order batsman Joe Burns Callum Ferguson will add muscle to the batting order while fast bowler Joe Meanie will replace injured Peter Siddle in the side.

“There are a few new faces with us now in Hobart, with Joe Burns, Joe Mennie and Callum Ferguson joining the group.”

“It’s great to see someone like Callum, who has worked very hard over a long period of time, get rewarded with a call-up. Whether he gets a game or not, I’m not sure, but I do know that he has earned his spot.”

“We need guys at the first-class level to really put their hand up and jump out of the pack by putting big performances on the board in the Sheffield Shield. If they do that then there’s every chance they’ll get an opportunity at the next level.”

“I really hope that Australian fans can get behind us as we look to turn this series around, and I’m confident we’ll be able to repay their faith.”