"We are a good team but just haven't been lucky enough" - PWI's Steve Smith Interview

Steven Peter Devereux “Steve” Smith’s star is on the rise after impressing recently in the Tests for Australia in India. The all-rounder was Pune Warriors India‘s best player last season when he shone with the bat and in the field. This season though, he hasn’t been able to cement his place in the side, which is struggling at the bottom of the table again, with the foreigner spots being traded quite regularly.

The New South Wales man was recently in conversation with Sportskeeda. Here are the excerpts:

Do you feel playing for any other franchise in the IPL could do more justice to your talent or are you happy playing for PWI?

I am really happy playing for PWI. It’s a great franchisee and I am enjoying my time in it. We have a great management as well and the owners are pretty encouraging. There is no pressure from them even if we are losing which is a good thing.

Do you miss the presence of Sourav Ganguly in the Pune Warriors’ dressing room this year?

He was a great player and used to keep everyone motivated in the dressing room. It was great to have such an experienced good player on our side.

What is the main area of concern for PWI?

We are a pretty good side actually. It’s just we have lost so many close matches. I think our inability to covert (those close finishes) into wins have cost us. We haven’t been able to click together as a team but there are still few matches left. We are hoping to make amends and put up a good show and notch some wins.

Is Pune a victim of poor leadership?

Well, I wouldn’t say that. In T20s you need to pick up a right combination, keeping the opposition in mind and therefore there are bound to be frequent changes happening. In every match you have to come up with different strategies. It’s just we haven’t been lucky enough till now.

You have been one of the few players who has performed for PWI consistently. Would you see yourself going up the batting order and take control of the game?

Yes I am glad that I am playing well. It’s for the captain to decide but I am fine with my batting position right now.

You performed very well in the Test series against India. Do you see yourself finally cementing a place in the Test side?

As a cricketer it always feel good to perform well for your team. I have improved and matured as a player and feel ready to handle the responsibility well. Apart from batting, I have also worked on my bowling and fielding skills. I do hope to cement my place in the Australian Test side and perform to the best of my abilities.

Why did Australia failed to put up a fight against India in the recently concluded Test series?

Well, India is a pretty good Test side. They did well while we faltered in many departments. We were a pretty young side and lacked experience.

Among all the present Australian batsmen, you seem to handle spin bowling better than most. So do you see yourself as one of the front line batsmen playing for Australia in the future Tests, specially those in the subcontinent?

I have been working pretty hard on my batting. Personally I think I have improved a lot in terms of technique and timing the ball well. Also, I am more steady than ever and have worked on my shot selection. As a batsman, it’s my duty to play well and make runs whether I bat up or down the order and therefore I always look forward to fulfil it properly.