Smith confident Australia can handle Sri Lankan conditions
Steve Smith says Australia are prepared for whatever Sri Lanka’s pitches throw at them when their two-Test series begins on Wednesday in Galle.
Sri Lankan pitches are notoriously unpredictable, which was Australia’s undoing when they lost 3-0 there in 2016.
This time, Smith is confident they have put in the preparation necessary to succeed regardless of what the wickets are like.
“We have spoken about the differences in the surfaces,” Smith said on Tuesday.
“Last time we came, we played on one that spun from ball one, and the other one was pretty flat in the first innings and then spun a lot in the second innings.
“So it’s important to have plans for both kind of surfaces.
“Then if it is extreme from the outset, then you need to be proactive and follow different methods to score runs.
“You just have to adapt as quickly as possible to what you get.”
With their qualification for the World Test Championship final already secured, Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka offers an opportunity for the world No.1 side to fine-tune its squad ahead of June’s clash against South Africa.
Cricket bookmakers still expect them to win, with Bovada paying +110 for the visitors to prevail in the first Test and +150 to win the series overall.
The markets are tight, however, as Test cricket betting sites put Sri Lanka at +140 to win the first Test and +225 to claim the series.
Key to Australia’s success will be Smith, who has had success in the subcontinent previously, making 145 not out last time Australia played in Galle.
“I think the game has changed a lot since I first came to the subcontinent,” he said.
“Guys play different shots to put pressure on the bowlers.
“The game has evolved a lot in the last 10 years, and it’s good to see some of the shots these guys play to take the game forward.”
The Australian veteran faces a personal milestone of his own heading into this series, as he sits just one shy of 10,000 Test runs.
However, Smith insists his focus is not on crossing this marker, revealing that it detracted from his batting earlier in the summer.
“I’ll just try to put it out of my mind, to be honest,” he said.
“I probably thought too much about it in Sydney.
“This time I’ll just try to forget it and focus on job at hand.”
Online bookies have Smith pegged as a +330 favourite to be Australia’s top scorer in the first innings in Galle, while he is paying +365 to hit a century.
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