Smith prepared to adapt leadership style

Cricket365
September 22, 2015

Australia captain Steve Smith says he is prepared to adapt his leadership style to the conditions that will be presented in the upcoming two-Test series away to Bangladesh, even if it means being less attacking in some situations.

The Aussies have always had captains with an attacking mindset that are not afraid to make things happen when a match is just drifting along.

But with Australia taking a relatively inexperienced squad to take on the Tigers due to a host of retirements and injuries after the recent Ashes, Smith said he needs to adjust his captaincy style if necessary.

Smith, who will be going on his first tour as the permanent Test skipper, said: "I think that's something I'm going to have to adapt to with my captaincy.

"In Australia you can be a little bit more attacking. In places on the subcontinent you've got to find ways to get batsmen out, you might have to bore them out.

"For me it's about being adaptable wherever we play. So you might have to be more defensive with that and when the ball starts to spin and reverse swing, that's when you can attack."

With vice-captain David Warner one of the players missing through injury, Smith said he hoped someone like Usman Khawaja can take his opportunity in the top-order.

The left-handed Khawaja has played in nine previous Tests, the last of which came in 2013, and is coming back from a serious knee injury.

On Khawaja, Smith said: "He's got another opportunity, he's worked really hard to get back. He's had a tough time of it with his knee but he's back in the squad now and I'm looking forward to seeing what he brings."

Australia's first Test against the Tigers starts in Chittagong on 9 October while the second Test will be in Mirpur on 17 October.