Smith wants more subcontinent improvement
Feb 26, 2017 - 12:00 AM Australia appear to have finally learned their lessons of a nine-Test losing streak in Asia, but Steve Smith wants bigger and better things in Bangalore.From the moment Smith won the toss in Pune, the tourists never relinquished the upper hand in their first Test against India.
It was one of many facets of the polished performance that were in sharp contrast to the 3-0 series loss in Sri Lanka last year.
Smith's side toiled for runs on the remarkably dry deck, which required just three days to deliver 40 wickets and a 1-0 lead for Australia in the four-Test series.
They adapted to local conditions with bat and ball, as has been Smith and coach Darren Lehmann's repetitive request in recent years.
And they fielded well, especially Peter Handscomb who plucked two one-handed pearlers amid India's chaotic collapse of 7-11 on Friday.
Smith hopes it is the start of something special. Australia will step up their pursuit of a series win on Saturday, when the second Test starts in Bangalore.
"We kept the foot on the throat. We got ourselves into positions to win in Sri Lanka and we let the opposition get back into the game," Smith said.
"In this Test we didn't let India back into the game ... it's pleasing we're learning, trying to improve in different ways."
However, Smith feels there is room for improvement.
"I wouldn't say it was perfect," Smith said.
"We did a lot of things right in this Test match, that's for sure but there's still areas we can improve on.
"In the first innings we probably lost a few (wickets) in clumps.
"For us, it's about continuing to identify those periods in the game when we need to knuckle down and get through and show some fight and resilience and come out the other end of it.
"We know as batters the longer you're out in the middle, the easier things get."
Smith was well aware of Australia's horrible streak in India prior to the 333-run win.
"We haven't won a game here for 4502 days," Smith said.
"The pressure was off us. Everyone wrote us off and expected India to win 4-0. That can't happen any more.
"Sometimes you can think negatively about the situation ... for us it was putting that out of our mind."
The shock win came a tick over three months after Australia capitulated in Hobart, where they were bowled out for 85 en route to a fifth straight Test loss.
AUSTRALIA'S NINE STRAIGHT LOSSES IN ASIA PRIOR TO BEATING INDIA: *3-0 loss to Sri Lanka in 2016 (106 runs, 229 runs, 163 runs) *2-0 loss to Pakistan in 2014 (221 runs, 356 runs) *4-0 loss to India in 2013 (8 wickets, inns and 135 runs, 6 wickets, 6 wickets).
Source: AAP
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