India should attack Steve Smith early, try everything in first 20 balls: Michael Clarke

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke said it’s important for India to attack Steve Smith early and unsettle him to prevent the star batsman from doing what he does best -- play long innings -- in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series.

Michael Clarke, speaking on the latest episode of India Today Inspiration, said even the best in the business are vulnerable early on in their innings and India should look at exploiting it against Smith.

Clarke said he agrees with Sachin Tendulkar’s views on attacking Steve Smith on the fifth-stump line but said he would try everything in the first 20 balls against the World No. 1 Test batsman.

“I saw Sachin's comments and I agree with Sachin. The only variation to that is that I think every batsman is vulnerable in the first 20 balls even if it's Sachin Tendulkar, if it's Donald Bradman. The best chance you have is to get those batsmen out are those first 20 balls,” Clarke said.

“I will be looking to get Smith out in those first 20 balls and I will be looking to bring in all the modes of dismissals -- LBW, bowled, caught at slip, caught behind. I would be attacking the stumps and bowl a good bouncer in the first 20 balls and after that I would stick to Sachin's plans. Bowl a good fifth stump line and wait for Steve smith to make that error.”

Smith has already sent a warning notice to India as he helped Australia clinch a 66-run win in the 1st ODI with a quickfire hundred on Friday. If early signs are anything to by, Smith is going to be a big problem to India who will be without their captain Virat Kohli after the opening day-night Test.

We are going to see a lot of Labuschagne in Tests: Clarke

Clarke said Marnus Labuschagne will also be a threat to India, considering the young batsman’s love for big knocks in Tests. Labuschagne has played only 14 Tests but he has emerged into one of the top batsmen going around with 1459 runs at an average of 63.43.

“He (Labuschagne) knows how to bat for long periods of time. I think we are going to see a lot of Marnus in the Test matches. Willing to bat for long periods is his strength, he keeps it simple, doesn't do anything fancy. He has got great eyes, so picks up the ball early and his shot selection is good.

“How India bowl to him at the start of the innings is very important. They need to be disciplined, need to be well-researched, look at Marnus's game and see what he does early on in his innings,” Clarke said.

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