Melbourne, May 13: Steven Smith’s match-winning turn in the West Indies reinforced former Test captain Greg Chappell’s view that the young all-rounder has the talent needed to help Australia regain the Ashes.
Smith’s 3-20 has helped Australia cruise into the World T20 semi-finals with a six-wicket victory in their Super Eights clash with West Indies. Chappell believes the 20-year-old Smith’s talents extend well beyond the T20 arena.
”He is (part of the Ashes plans) in my view,” Chappell was quoted as saying by the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’. ”In Australia, through the history of cricket, good wrist-spin bowling has been very successful and I think he has the capabilities to do that, and it gives you the opportunity to play two spinners.” ”Remember that Richie Benaud played for three or four years as a batsman predominantly, and bowled the odd over here or there. I can see Steve Smith doing that in the early days of his career,” the former Australian Test skipper added.
——–Agencies