Smith ‘taking the piss, doing extremely well,’ says Johnson

Barbados (West Indies), May 12 (ANI): Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson believes that emerging leg-spinning all-rounder Steven Smith is fitting in nicely with the national squad, and adds that he already he appears so relaxed that he almost looks like he’s taking a nap.

Twice in Sunday’s World Twenty20 Super Eights win over Sri Lanka in Barbados, Smith made taking a catch in the outfield seem so easy. He also claimed the brilliant figures of 2-12 from four overs, just two games after his mature knock of 27 from 18 balls helped Australia recover from 6-65 to 7-141 for a 27-run victory against Bangladesh.

“Smithy bowled well today (against Sri Lanka). He’s a good thinker, at such a young age. Takes catches very easily, it’s like he’s taking the piss. He’s doing extremely well. He’s doing the job we need him to do. He’s enjoying it out there as well,” Fox Sports quoted Johnson, as saying.

Michael Clarke endorsed the view.

“He’s a huge talent, no doubt. He batted well the other day and he has been bowling really well. He’s getting used to the conditions more every single game,” Clarke said. (ANI)