Smith: New ball bowling could be improved

Australia captain Steve Smith was obviously pleased with his side's win in the first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane, but said there was still room for improvement when it came to bowling with the new ball.
The hosts won by 208 runs on day five, removing the final seven wickets before lunch, but new skipper Smith wasn't content with a tick in the win column, looking instead for ways to get even better.
He thought the pacemen were not consistent enough up front, and did not put the Black Caps under enough sustained pressure with the new ball. This despite four LBWs in the Kiwis' second innings.
Smith said after the match: "Our new-ball bowling probably needs a little bit of work. I thought we bowled a little bit too short for this wicket.
"We didn't make them play enough balls down the ground to bring in our catchers behind the wicket, and bowleds and lbws.
"From my point of view, it’s about (them) getting the ball up there, trying to swing it a bit more and hopefully hitting our straps."
Smith was also not shy to censure paceman Mitchell Starc, who heaved the ball at tail-ender Mark Craig when there was no run out on the cards. Starc had been struck for a few boundaries, and let his frustration get the better of him.
The skipper added: "I thought it was pretty disappointing. He's done it a few times and I'm going to have a word to him when I get back down in the sheds.
"I don't think it was necessary at the time and hopefully he can improve and get better from that.
"I don't think he needs to apologise, I just don't think he needs to do it in the future.
"There wasn't an opportunity for a run-out there and I think it was just a bit of frustration and he needs to let it out in other ways."
The second Test starts on Friday in Perth.
Latest
-
News
Zak Crawley outdone by Ben Compton as Kent start strongly at Northamptonshire
Opener Compton stole the show with an unbeaten 125.
-
News
Mark Wood admits frustration over slow progress from elbow surgery
Wood is targeting a Test return towards the back end of the summer.
-
News
McCullum hopes ‘attractive brand of Test cricket’ can see red-ball game thrive
New head coach Brendon McCullum is looking to transform England’s fortunes.
-
News
Effects of lockdown on bowlers may be playing part in spate of stress fractures
In the past week Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season with lower back injuries.
-
News
Ben Stokes to be subject of Amazon documentary created by Sam Mendes
The 30-year-old will open up on his World Cup and Headingley heroics as well as his off-the-field troubles.
-
News
Jofra Archer setback adds to England’s fast bowling injury crisis
Saqib Mahmood, Jofra Archer and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season this week.
-
News
England bowler Jofra Archer sidelined for the summer after injury setback
Archer has suffered a stress fracture of the lower back.
-
News
Paul Farbrace: Che Simmons may play for England after signing Warwickshire deal
The 18-year-old has signed a three-year contract.
-
News
Paul Collingwood ‘desperate to help out’ new England coaches, says Rob Key
Australia’s Matthew Mott has been appointed to lead the white-ball team, with Brendon McCullum the new man in charge of the Test side.
-
News
Matt Parkinson out of England squad with Harry Brook and Matthew Potts included
James Anderson and Stuart Broad are back.