Steve Smith recently became the second fastest batter in Test cricket history to reach 9,000 Test runs. The right-handed batter achieved the milestone during the opening Day of the second Ashes 2023 Test. He further went on to smash his 32nd Test ton on Day 2 of the game and matched the record of former Aussie captain Steve Waugh for most Test centuries by an Australian in the longest format.
Notably, this was Smith’s 12th Ashes ton, and it also made him share the record for the second-most number of hundreds with Jack Hobbs in the history of the iconic series. The innings by the 34-year-old even attracted huge appreciation from many veteran cricketers and fans.
Following the sensational and record-breaking knock, Smith indulged in a conversation with Kevin Pietersen on Sky Sports. He talked about various topics ranging from his love for England, batting technique, sleeping pattern and much more in the interaction.
On being asked about why is that he doesn’t sleep before the first innings. Smith revealed he keeps visualizing the bowlers coming to him and is focused on what he will try the next day to score runs. However, the Aussie star reckoned that it’s not an ideal way.
“Yeah, before the first innings, I really struggle to sleep. I visualize all the bowlers coming at me, what they are gonna do, how I’m gonna try and score and things like that. It’s not ideal.,” Smith told Pietersen.
The modern-day great further talked about his unorthodox batting technique and movement. Smith said he wouldn’t tell any youngster to bat like him but to bat like himself.
“I wouldn’t say try and bat like me. I would say try and bat like ‘you’. I think that’s the beauty of our game. We all bat differently. I bat different to how you (Pietersen) batted. So find what works for you and do it to the best of your ability,” said Smith.