Ashes 2019 | I'd be scratching my head thinking of ways to get Steve Smith out, says Merv Hughes

08/14/2019

Former Australian pacer Merv Hughes has showered praise on Australia's talisman Steve Smith, stating that he'd have been clueless on how to get Smith out had he ever bowled to him. Hughes also singled out Brian Lara, Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar as the toughest batsmen he's bowled to.

The second Ashes Test has been delayed by rain, and perhaps, England will breathe a sigh of relief, as this means that they'll get to bowl fewer balls at Steve Smith, at least for the time being. After having tormented them with twin 140 plus scores in the first Test, the Australian would be looking to once again repeat his heroics and put relentless pressure on the English bowlers.

The English bowlers certainly seemed like they ran out of plans to get Smith out and Edbgbaston, and one person who sympathizes with them is former Aussie quick Merv Hughes, who believes all England can do is just pray and hope that they get Smith's wicket.

"As a bowler, you are hoping and praying you get to Lord's and you have a good day. Get him to nick one early on maybe, then it's a different game. The big thing is you don't give up hope," Hughes told Omnisport, reported Sportstar.

The former Aussie quick further went on to praise the skill and ability of the 30-year-old, praising his technique, while also admitting that he'd have been scratching his head as a bowler trying to get Smith out.

"Steve Smith showed he has the capacity to keep a good ball out, he has solid defence and attacks the right ball. As a bowler, it's tough. I sit there and look at how I'd bowl at different batsmen and Smith, you just scratch your head," he said.

"You bowl outside off stump and he walks across and takes it down the leg side, you bowl a little bit full and he drives you, a little bit short, he cuts. If you've got a batsman who can score all around the wicket with a very tight defence, the margin for error is so slight," he added.

Hughes then went on to name Sunil Gavaskar, Viv Richards, Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar as the toughest batsmen he's bowled to, citing the margin of error being next to nothing as the primary reason for it.

"Oh mate, I can name them: Sunil Gavaskar, Viv Richards, Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar," he said, talking about the toughest batsmen he's bowled to.

"When you are bowling to these sort of guys, you know you have to be on top of your game, your margin of error is going to be very slight." he added.