Steve Smith said that it was not easy facing Shaheen Shah Afridi at the fag end of the third day’s play in the first Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Perth Stadium. In the 31st over of Australia’s second innings, Smith copped a blow on his forearm, after which he called the physiotherapist to check on him.
Smith, who stayed unbeaten on 43 off 72 with three fours and a six at Stumps on Day 3, said that he found it tough to play Shaheen.
“It’s alright; a bit of a bruise, but it will be fine. It was challenging out there, it got a bit dark, a lot of shadows out there. Shaheen has got a whippy action with his wrist so it was hard picking up the lengths but got through it,” Smith was quoted as saying after the day’s play.
The Aussies are currently in a position of command with a lead of 300. After Khurram Shehzad got the early wickets of David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja and Smith put on an unbeaten partnership of 79 runs for the third wicket.
Smith said that Australia would be looking to bat through the first session and then take a call on further courses of action.
“Lead of 300, we are 2 down, so a good spot. It is up to the leaders to sort that out, the captain and coach will take a call. We are in a good position, bat well first session tomorrow and then we can make some calls from there what we want to do,” he added.
As far as Shaheen is concerned, after picking up only one wicket in the first innings, the left-arm pacer has figures of 9-3-19-0 in the second.
