Australia’s middle order batsman Steven Smith, who is expected to lead the devastated side in Bangladesh in October for a two-match Test series, said the Tigers will not be an easy prey for his side. Smith is widely expected to take over from retiring Michael Clarke, who announced his retirement in the wake of humiliating Ashes defeat to arch-rivals England with one match to go.Although Smith is presumably going to get his first series as a full-time captain against Bangladesh, but his challenge is believed to be a difficult one as the storm of Ashes disaster made the Australian team wrecked and most of the seniors are on the verge of biding an adieu.
Clarke and opener Chris Rogers already announced their retirement after the Ashes while Brad Haddin and Shane Watson lost their place in the starting lineup and are unlikely to be selected for Bangladesh tour.
Former captain Ricky Ponting fuelled the speculation recently saying that as many as eight players from the Ashes-losing side may not be considered for the side anymore.
It made obvious for Cricket Australia to give Smith a new-look team in Bangladesh, which the right-hander said will be challenging.
‘I think Bangladesh is going to be quite a tough tour, it’s another place that is quite foreign to us as Australian batters I guess,’ Cricinfo quoted Smith as saying on Monday.
This will be the first Test series for Aussies in Bangladesh since 2006 when they won the series 2-0. None of that victorious squad will feature in the current series and the recent performances of the hosts won’t make the job easy for Smith. .
‘So we’re going to have to find ways to adapt to those conditions, like we haven’t done well here. Hopefully we can do that and have some success over there,’ said the right-hander.
Smith’s captaincy is not officially declared yet, but the top-order batsman was confident of fulfilling his responsibilities if that is endowed.
‘Nothing is confirmed yet either with anything, in regards to the captaincy. But if it works out that way and I am the next captain, then it’s a lot of responsibility,’
‘Obviously it’s not my job to pick the team, but there is a possibility there could be some changes and some younger guys coming in,’ he added.
The 26-year old from New South Wales started his career as a leg-spinner who could bat but later became the stalwart of the world champion side, scoring 2952 in 32 Tests with 10 centuries.
‘There are obviously a few guys on this tour [in England], the senior players that haven’t been taking part in the last couple of games. So it’s always tough when you lose those guys. But I think it’s exciting for Australian cricket, we’re going to have some younger guys coming through.’
The two Tests against Bangladesh will be held in Chittagong and Dhaka respectively from October 9-13 and October 17-21.
-With New Age input
