Australia vice-captain Steve Smith on Thursday rejected suggestions that his team missed a trick or two by dropping top-order batter Travis Head and by playing two off-spinners in the first Test against India here on Thursday, adding that some of Aussie batters got out playing pre-determined shots.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Electing to bat first, Australia were bowled out for 177 in their first innings with Indian left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja claiming 5\/47 and off-spinner R Ashwin taking 3\/42. Smith (37) and Marnus Labuchagne (49) shared an 82-run partnership during the best period of the day for Australia as they recovered from 2-2 in the third over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In reply, India rode on a breezy unbeaten 56 by skipper Rohit Sharma to reach 77\/1 in 24 overs at stumps, needing 100 more runs to overtake the visitors' score with nine wickets in hand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smith said that Matt Renshaw had done well when given an opportunity and they discussed the various combinations before deciding the playing XI.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Experienced Smith, who has led Australia in 36 Tests before losing his captaincy following the Sandpapergate scandal before taking charge of a couple of tests as stand-in skipper in the last two seasons, said though both Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy are off-spinners, they are different from each and have different ways of doing their job.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smith admitted that some of his batters could have gotten out playing pre-determined shots expecting the ball to spin more. It happens when the ball is doing tricks on the pitch, he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He admitted that it was not a treacherous wicket and it was possible to score runs as shown by him, Labushagne and Rohit Sharma.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The right-handed batter said Jadeja bowled well and it was now for them to restrict India to as low a score as possible and maintain their chances in the Test.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He admitted that it was not a treacherous wicket and it was possible to score runs as shown by him, Labushagne and Rohit Sharma.<\/p>\r\n\r\n