Short-ball tactics could backfire on India: Steve Smith

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Sydney, Mar 24: Steve Smith feels peppering the Australian batsman with the too many short balls could backfire on India when the two teams meet in the cricket World Cup semifinal here Thursday.

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Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz had troubled the Australians, especially Michael Clarke and Shane Watson, in the quarterfinal but he ended up being the long ranger for his team as the co-hosts eventually won the game comfortably. Smith doesn't see Australian batsmen getting worked up with the short-pitch stuff.

"A couple of guys have got out to the short ball and that is just part and parcel of the game - you have got to get out some way," Smith was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.

"For us, we are expecting them to come out and potentially bowl a little bit too short for this wicket. If they try and jam them on this wicket it might suit us with these quick boundaries. It could play into our hands," he said.

Smith said he is also feeling good about his batting. "I didn't feel out of form. I just felt like I was out of sync a little bit with a few of my movements." "But that's back, my swing's back where I want it to be, so hopefully I can continue crunching India around the park," he added.

PTI