How pitiful it would've been for Australia if Steve Smith did not decide to challenge the onfield umpire's lbw decision!
A Stuart Broad delivery pitched outside offstump and then
nipped-back-in to hit the pads of Smith's back leg. On nacked eyes, it was a
plumb leg before wicket and the umpire's positive response to Broad's appeal
was understandable.
But Smith decided to review it, which proved to be a vital
one. Smith survived and went in to script one of the best Test hundreds of this
year.
Now, why Smith was so confident about being not out? It was
because of his strong awareness of where his offstump was!
Sunil Gavaskar more often emphasized knowing your
offstump, which is one of the vital components to become a successful batsman
in Test cricket. If you know where your offstump is, it becomes easier to leave
the deliveries pitching up angles, which either jagg back in or leave.
Steve worked on this awareness for sure as because like
Virat Kohli, once upon a time, he was weak in-and-around offstump. England
tried to exploit that weakness yesterday, but Smith hardly fell into their trap
as he left them confidently and forced England to bowl too straight - the line
changed from off to middle and the bat did not come down in an angled way, but
straight to fetch runs.
That sense of awareness about offstump, did Smith a world of
good.
Australia can dream to fight back.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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