Australia’s star batter Steve Smith is rethinking his training approach to combat a recent dip in form. He’s adopted a “less is more” strategy, inspired by advice from former teammate Mike Hussey.
Smith’s performance has been under scrutiny, with only 19 runs across three innings in the first two Tests against India. This has raised concerns, especially given his return to his preferred number four batting position.
Smith consulted Hussey, renowned for his late-career success, which included eight Test centuries after turning 35. Hussey suggested that reduced training could be more beneficial for older players.
“It’s well documented that him and Marnus (Labuschagne) in particular, they hit a lot of balls, they practise really hard and they do a great deal of preparation,” Hussey said.
Hussey’s advice stemmed from his own experience of maintaining peak performance later in his career. He emphasized the importance of mental and physical freshness over extensive training.
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“And I just said (to Smith), ‘It’s worth just thinking about how much you hit, and is it actually helping you, or is it slightly detrimental?'” Hussey added.
He elaborated on his philosophy, contrasting the needs of younger and older players. Younger players benefit from high training volume, while older players benefit from prioritizing freshness.
“I think as a young player, volume is really important. But as you get older, I certainly found from my own perspective, it wasn’t about hitting more balls and working yourself into the ground. It was more about coming into games as mentally and physically fresh as you possibly can.” Hussey explained.
Smith implemented Hussey’s suggestion by skipping a training session before the Adelaide Test. He aimed to enter the match feeling refreshed. Unfortunately, the strategy didn’t immediately pay off. Smith was dismissed for only two runs, caught off a Jasprit Bumrah delivery.
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“In an ideal world, I probably wouldn’t hit as many balls as I do in the lead-up,” Smith admitted.
Smith acknowledged that while less training is generally preferable, he sometimes needs extra sessions to address specific technical aspects. He finds himself caught between the two approaches.
“It’s just if I need to feel a bit better with something or work on a certain movement or whatever, I might need that last session.” Smith clarified.
Smith’s recent dismissals, particularly against Indian pace bowlers, have sparked debate about his defensive technique. Smith remains determined to find the optimal balance in his training and batting approach. He’s analyzing the techniques of successful batsmen on challenging wickets.
“In the last two years or so, while the wickets have been tricky, the guys getting runs are probably the ones going harder at the ball, almost keeping their bodies out of the way, giving themselves room in a way, and hitting hard and scoring quickly,” Smith observed.
He highlighted Travis Head and Mitch Marsh as examples of players who have adapted well to difficult batting conditions. He’s seeking to incorporate elements of their approach into his own game.
“For me, there’s a balance. Obviously, you’ve got to try and put the bowler under some kind of pressure and try and dictate terms a little bit. But that can be tricky on those sorts of wickets as well.” Smith concluded.
