In the last 12 months of Australian cricket, beneath the violent streak of facial hair that is Mitchell Johnson. The resurgence of the team under the old school tuition of Darren Lehmann and the tactical nous of Michael Clarke, more serious developments have been taking shape.
On the ill-fated tour of India in February and March 2013, Steve Smith was not named in the starting XI for the First Test which Australia lost by 8 wickets. Or the Second Test which Australia would lose by an innings and 135 runs. Smith was then recalled for the Mohali Test, in the turbulence of "Homework-Gate", and the spotlight was shone brightly on the apparent lack of leaders in the Australian squad.
At 0/139 having won the toss and batted, all seemed rosy enough. 12 overs, 12 runs and 3 wickets later, Smith was thrown to the lions. In his first Test Match in over two
years against a
boisterous, raging Indian
side, on a wicket already taking considerate turn on Day 1. Using quick feet, and equally quick hands. Smith was dismissed four minutes short of four hours later, for a superb 92, taking Australia from 3/151 to 8/348. Mitchell Starc's 99 would carry Australia further to 408. Australia lost this test, by a slightly smaller, if no less disastrous 6 wickets meant little for those with a view for the short term. For those thinking long term, Smith had shown a desire to wear a few bullets when his side and country seemed out of armour.
Smith remained in the team for the start of the Lehmann Era, the 2013 Ashes. The pinnacle of cricket in white clothes, if not the highest point of all. Australia crumpled to 3/22 in pursuit of England's first innings of 215. Smith counterattacked with 53, before the astonishing partnership between Phil Hughes and Ashton Agar would drag Australia to 280 from 9/117. In the Third Test Australia was again 3/129, before Smith's 89 (in partnership with Michael Clarke) got Australia going, all the way 527 in a game that was drawn, yet dominated by the visitors. The Fifth Test was much the same with Australia was 3/144 on Day 1. Shane Watson bludgeoned 176 but threw his wicket away in the twilight, leaving Smith to chaperone the tail in a magnificent 138*, allowing Michael Clarke to declare at 492.
Some had criticised Smith for his crude swipe at Graeme Swann and subsequent dismissal for 89 at Old Trafford two tests prior, but with Lehmann's mantra of "natural game" and "backing yourself in every situation" reverberating through his helmet, he became just the 6th Australian to go his maiden test century, with a six.
In the return series, Smith again peeled off first innings centuries in Perth (111 out of 385, having come to the wicket at 3/106 then 5/143) and Sydney (last man out for 115 after Australia was 3/78 then 5/97). The Baggy Green juggernaut rolled on to South Africa, and in the First Test, Smith was at the crease at 4/98 after Australia was sent in. After a partnership of 233 with Shaun Marsh, Smith was dismissed for an even 100. Like in Mohali, throughout the summer when the team was armourless, Smith had
Under the Radar
By Alex Strauch