Smith to help Aussie quicks unleash beast

Nov 23, 2017 - 4:19 AM They may be coming out well in the nets but Steve Smith says he is only bowling himself again to help the Australian quicks unleash the beast against England this Ashes series.

The likes of ex-Test tweaker Kerry O'Keefe have renewed calls for Australian skipper Smith to bowl himself more in the Ashes, claiming the now occasional leg-spinner was a legitimate wicket-taking option against England.

And Smith appears to have heeded the advice ahead of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane from Thursday, but only to help his pace attack wreak havoc.

Smith says he will overcome his reluctance to roll the arm over to provide a rest for quicks Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins so they could attack in short bursts like Mitchell Johnson in Australia's 2013-14 Ashes whitewash.

"In an ideal world, yeah, that would be how I would use them," Smith said of replicating Johnson, who inspired Australia's 5-0 sweep four years ago.

"Back at 2013-14 we had the luxury of someone like (allrounder) Shane Watson there.

"(He) gave those bowlers an extra rest so Johnson could come on and do what he did.

"Obviously if I need to bowl myself a little bit to try and give those guys a bit more of a rest so they can come on and have that quick burst then that's the way we will have to go."

Smith has bowled just 28.1 overs in nine series since taking over as Australian captain at the 2015 Ashes, taking 2-115.

However, the world No.1 Test batsman was confident he could help make a difference with the ball.

"They actually came out really well," Smith said of his form in the nets.

"You never know. Hopefully I am not needed too often.

"If I am I will definitely bowl myself."

Smith said off-spinner Nathan Lyon would make the biggest difference with the ball targeting England's left-handed batsmen if Australia took the field without an allrounder in Brisbane.

Australia opted for batsman Shaun Marsh at No.6 instead of an allrounder for the first Test.

However, allrounder Glenn Maxwell is on standby for David Warner (neck) and Shaun Marsh (back).

"I always like having the (allrounder) option there but I think with England (they have) a lot of left-handers so Nathan Lyon is going to be an important bowler for us," Smith said.

"He is probably bowling as well as I have seen him bowl."

Source: AAP