Steve Smith has an incredible record in the subcontinent with the bat. He's got quite an impressive record as captain as well. He also knows a thing or two about the pitches in this part of the world. And also is capable of picking up a lot of visual cues just by looking down on it.
SL VS AUS, 2ND TEST
Australia look to seal first series win in Sri Lanka since 2011
Australia will look to win their first series in Sri Lanka since 2011 © Getty
So, his verdict after having taken an umpteenth look at it on the eve of the second Test? Something along the lines of it's quite dry already and will only get dryer, which should mean that the ball will start turning, and doing so sharply, from very early on in the Test. Obviously it won't fluster Smith the batter or Smith the captain. Considering both have spent an entire career succeeding and thriving on such surfaces and these conditions.
It'll be about being proactive both while he has a bat in his hand and also when he's got his captaincy hat on in the middle. A state Smith enjoys being in with both facets of the game.
It could also well be Smith's final ever Test in Asia, with Australia's next tour to the subcontinent slated for early 2027 when they head to India. It remains to be seen if the premier batter can pull through for two more years. But if the second Test of this series does happen to his last in this part of the world, it'll only be apt if he does it on a pitch where the spinners rule the roost, even while Smith the batter and Smith the captain have a lot of fun countering the challenge.
There's no doubt, however, about this being
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