Steve Smith
Steve Smith (Image Credit: Twitter)

Australian batting stalwart Steve Smith has opened up on how he deals with the negativity and outside noise that crowds a player’s mental space. Just like in India, Australian fans put every player’s performance under the microscope and Smith revealed how he finds ways to suppress such noise.

Similar to Pat Cummins, Smith has a YouTube channel called ‘The Steve Smith Cricket Academy’ where he talks about different aspects of the game. In the latest video, the talismanic players spoke about the mental side of the game.

Steve Smith
Steve Smith (Image Credit: Twitter)

Playing in front of your home crowd – the atmosphere that’s created is exceptional. We play to entertain. One thing I have learned is how many voices and opinions there are in this space. It is about how to manage and use them to your advantage as much as possible,” he said.

Smith is Australia’s best Test batsman in the last few years and is also grooming his protege Marnus Labuschagne. Together, the two have set the arena on fire, stacking runs at will. Continuing on the outside noise, Smith stated:

The way I deal with negative commentary, or media, or noise is to go out there and perform and do the best that I can. I guess you can say that it is about just letting the bat do the talking.

“Those that make the most consistent decisions are the most successful” – Steve Smith

Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne
Image: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

In the gentleman’s game, the concept of sledging has grown over the last few years. The younger generation breaking onto the scene doesn’t back down from a bit of banter out in the middle – Rishabh Pant being a prime example. Smith revealed his method of dealing with it.

Read More  Riyan Parag becomes the first player since Virat Kohli to win...

Occasionally, opposition players try to get into your head. The most important thing from my point of view is to just let it go, ignore it, and focus on that next ball. More than anything, I think cricket is a mental game and it’s those that make the most consistent decisions that are the most successful,” he concluded.

Steve Smith pulled out of Australia’s tour of the West Indies and Bangladesh owing to an elbow injury. He may also decide to skip the 2021 T20 World Cup and prioritize the Ashes if he cannot recover in time.