Steve Smith’s failure against India is a huge bow for the hosts, said former Australia cricketer Michael Hussey.
Hussey feels it is India’s fantastic plans which have stopped Smith from going.
As per Hussey, India is bowling straight, attacking the stumps and setting a leg-side field for him to cut off scoring options.
In a video, posted on ESPN Cricinfo, Hussey said: “Last summer, the “Last summer the New Zealand team got Smith out a few times with the short ball. I have noticed, Bumrah in particular, he has been bowling short and pushing Steve Smith back and then attacking the stumps, looking for LBW or bowling him out. So, big form worries for Steve Smith. He is a great player and we would expect him to work his way out of it,” he added.
As for Marnus Labuschagne’s form, Hussey felt India is using the batsman’s vulnerabilities to their advantage.
“Marnus Labuschagne came with so much expectation into the series that he was going to have another prolific season, but unfortunately, it has not really worked out that way just yet. Indians have got a really good plan for him and they know he is a little bit vulnerable for LBWs. So, they are bowling very straight to him and setting leg-side field to cut off the run-scoring options and they are attacking the stumps all the time,” he said.The third Test between India and Australia will begin on January 7.
