australian star batsman Steve Smith His training methods are being reconsidered in response to a recent dip in form. Inspired by advice from former teammates, he adopted a “less is more” strategy Mike Hussey.
Smith’s performance has been under scrutiny, scoring just 19 runs in three innings in the first two Test matches against India. This raises concerns, especially given his return to his preferred batting position of No. 4.
Smith consulted Hussey, who was renowned for his late-career success, including eight Test centuries after turning 35.
“There’s good evidence that he and Marnus (Labuschagne) in particular, they hit the ball a lot, they train really hard and prepare a lot,” Hussey said.
Hussey’s advice comes from his own experience maintaining peak performance late in his career. He emphasized that mental and physical freshness was more important than extensive training.
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“I just said (to Smith), ‘It’s worth thinking about how many hits you’re hitting, is it really helping you, or is it hurting a little bit?'” Hussey added.
He elaborated on his philosophy and contrasted the needs of younger players with those of older players. Younger players benefit from high training volumes, while older players benefit from prioritizing freshness.
“I think as a young player, quantity does matter. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve certainly found from my perspective that it’s not about hitting more balls and working hard. It’s more about getting into the game. Keep your mind and body as fresh as possible, Hussey explains.
Smith carried out Hussey’s advice and skipped training ahead of the Adelaide Test. His goal is to come into the game in high spirits. Unfortunately, this strategy didn’t pay off right away. Smith ran only two runs before being sacked. Jasprit Bumrah deliver goods.
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“In an ideal world, I probably wouldn’t hit as many pitches as I did in preparation,” Smith admitted.
Smith admits that while less training is often a better option, he sometimes needs additional sessions to address specific technical issues. He found himself caught between two approaches.
“Just if I need to feel better about something or go through a certain move or whatever, I might need to train one last time,” Smith clarified.
Smith’s recent outings, especially against India’s pace bowlers, have sparked debate about his fielding skills. Smith remains determined to find the best balance in his training and batting approach. He is analyzing the techniques used by successful batsmen to challenge wickets.
“While wickets have been tricky over the last two years or so, the guys who are getting runs are probably the ones who are working harder on the ball, almost leaving their bodies untouched and giving in some way. Give yourself space and hit the ball hard and hard.
He highlighted Travis Head and Mitch Marsh as examples of players who have adapted well to difficult batting conditions. He is looking to incorporate elements of their approach into his own game.
“For me, it’s a balance. Obviously, you have to try and put some pressure on the bowlers and try to dictate some terms. But it can be tricky for those types of wickets as well,” Smith concluded.
