SOUTH AFRICA TOUR OF AUSTRALIA, 2016

Sledging is not my cup of tea: Steve Smith

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Smith has backed Mitchell Marsh to come good with the bat. © Cricbuzz

Steve Smith, Australian captain, fronted the media on Wednesday (November 2) with trademark composure and confidence ahead of a crux Test against South Africa at the WACA. The prevailing belief is that Australia needs to get off to a good start to inject Smith with a desperate tonic after several embarrassing performances overseas has somewhat derailed his fledgling captaincy.

However, at the press conference, there was little hint of Smith feeling the pressure, which has been simmering after a disappointing stretch for the Australian cricket team across the formats. Perhaps it's the comforts of home - Australia has not suffered a Test defeat on home soil in four years - but Smith's demeanour brimmed with positivity as if he genuinely felt a change in fortune for his team was imminent.

Much has been made about Australia's volatile behaviour in past clashes with South Africa and a slanging match has ensued between the teams ahead of the Test, with pacemen Dale Steyn and Peter Siddle firing several stinging barbs.

Ever calm, Smith preferred not to engage in the banter and believed sledging wasn't particularly necessary. Unlike some of his predecessors, the 27-year- old said he preferred to hold back with tongue but urged his charges to exude positivity.

"For me, that's not my cup of tea (sledging) it's just about making sure my body language is right and looking like I'm on top of them, I guess" he said. "I guess that's what I'm after from the team, and it's not necessarily about sledging or anything like that. It's about making sure that each individual can get the best out of themselves and have a presence about them.

"Everyone does it differently, for someone it might be about getting into a verbal contest with a bowler to get themselves going," he added. "It's about each individual knowing what gets them going, and when they do that it's going to be best for the team as well."

A big talking point during the Test build-up has been Steyn's declaration that South Africa would target Smith. "If you can cut off the head of the snake, the rest of the body tends to fall. He is the leader and if we can cause a bit of chaos there, sometimes it does affect the rest," Steyn said.

Playing it cool once again, an unruffled Smith resisted firing back at Steyn. "We've got a lot of batters in our line-up that are capable of scoring big runs," he said. "They (South Africa) can think that way if they like. Hopefully, they get rid of me and just start to think the rest is going to happen.

"That'd be nice and hopefully our guys can cash in but yeah, interesting theory."

Behind his calm exterior, Smith will be undoubtedly anxious about Australia's batting line-up, which struggled mightily in Sri Lanka. Allrounder Mitch Marsh and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill both average under 25 with the bat and pressure is intensifying on the pair to produce breakthrough Test tons.

Smith confirmed Marsh would retain his No.6 spot ahead of Nevill and backed the West Australian to deliver on his undeniable all-round skills. "The selectors have said they want Mitch Marsh to come out and score more runs, but I have watched him pretty closely over the last six months and I think he's made a lot of improvement to his game," he said. "We've been working on him playing the ball a bit softer in defence, I know if he spends a lot of time in the middle he can score incredibly quickly.

"He hits the ball as hard as anyone, so it is about making sure he is out there long enough to score big runs," he added.

Smith also revealed that veteran paceman Peter Siddle would play ahead of Joe Mennie, who will have to wait a little longer to make his Test debut. "They're the kind of bowlers that can really tie up an end and who can hit consistent areas and build good pressure and keep runs down," he said.

"We've gone with Sidds for this Test and it's good to have him back as well after a fair injury lay-off."

© Cricbuzz

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