MELBOURNE: After a spate of lacklustre performances since the historic Ashes series in 2019, former Australia all-rounder Simon O'Donnell is astounded by the changes batting legend Steve Smith has made to his technique.
Following the 2018 'Sandpaper-gate' affair in Cape Town, Smith's 2019 return from suspension was significant as he amassed a whopping 774 runs at an average of 111 with three tonnes in England. But before his magnificent century in the two ODIs against England at home, the former captain had struggled.
Since the 2019 Ashes, Smith has played in 31 Test matches with just two centuries and an average of 38. According to sen.com.au, O'Donnell ascribed this to opposition bowlers and captains "exposing a weakness in his leg-side style." Smith gave Australia an unbeatable 2-0 series lead by scoring an unbeaten 80 runs in the first One Day International against England in Adelaide. He then hammered their bowlers in Sydney with a brilliant 94. On Tuesday, their third ODI will be held at MCG.
O'Donnell claimed that Smith had gone back to the drawing board to fix any issues and had returned improved. O'Donnell said, "He went back and said I'm not a good enough player. "My technique ties me up on that leg side; they (competing bowlers) can now bowl me bumpers; life has gotten too difficult; I need to fix that."
O'Donnell stated on SEN Breakfast, "He's basically changed himself into a different player. It's truly astonishing, and then to come out and play with the talent he does, with a whole new style, is one of the most amazing things I've seen in sport.
At the MCG on Tuesday, Smith and Australia will try to win the ODI series.
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