'Fearless' Steve Smith ready for Test challenge

Australian leg-spinner Steve Smith’s assistant coach at New South Wales reckons that the 21-year-old has what it takes to succeed in the longest version of cricket. 

David Freedman’s comments come as Smith prepares for a possible Test debut in next week’s opening Test against Pakistan at Lord’s.
 
“He probably saw himself playing Test cricket five years ago, batting at No. 3,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Freedman, as saying. 

“He is completely fearless, he has amazing self-confidence, but there is no sense of arrogance. He always wants to be in the game,” he added.

Freedman further said that Smith has improved a lot following a one-on-one coaching session with Australian legend Shane Warne during the Boxing Day Test last year.

“After his time with Warne I saw a definite change in the potency of his stock delivery. He started beating the outside edge of the bat far more often than he used to,” Freedman said.

He also praised the leg-spinner for the impact he made with both bat and ball in the ODI series against England.

Smith was earlier called up to the Australian Test side to cover for spinner Nathan Hauritz, who was in doubt for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, but Hauritz managed to recover.