Decided to be more positive against Ashwin: Smith

Sydney, Jan 8 : Australia batsman Steve Smith said that he decided to take a more positive approach while facing India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin during the third Test on Friday. Smith, who failed to cross single digit in the previous two matches, scored a masterful 131 on Friday.
Ashwin had dismissed him three out of the previous four times in the series but the Indian spinner ended up wicketless in Australia’s first innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
“I decided to be a bit more positive. Early on I hit him over his head, sort of just put a bit of pressure on him to bowl where I wanted him to bowl. It was a concerted effort. And I was happy with the way I played him,” Smith told the media after the second day’s play.
Smith said he made no tactical changes during the innings. “Just be a bit faster on my feet, in particular against the spin, a bit quicker on my feet. Put pressure on [him], come down the wicket sometimes, play off the backfoot a bit better, but against the quicks nothing different,” he said.
Smith said that he did not feel that he was out of form in Tests.
“No, not really. I read a lot of things as I think I’ve said numerous times and plenty of people said I was out of form so it was nice to come back into form, if that’s what you want to call it,” he said.