Steve Smith happy to take on No.3 role

Steve Smith says he’ll welcome the challenge of batting at first-drop if captain Michael Clarke pulls the trigger for Thursday’s second Test against Pakistan.

No.5 batsman Smith has looked quite at home on the United Arab Emirates pitches. The 25-year-old NSW product scored 22 and 55 in last week’s first-Test defeat in Dubai, while No.3 Alex Doolan failed twice.

Smith’s innings of 101, 12 and 77 at No.3 in the one-day series earlier this month showcased his ability to handle the twin terrors of Pakistan’s slow bowlers and the UAE’s spin-friendly pitches.

“I feel really good at the crease,” Smith told reporters on Tuesday.

“I’ve enjoyed the challenges of reverse swing and the spin and just feel really good.

“If that (batting at No.3) was required, absolutely.”

Coach Darren Lehmann was asked after Sunday’s loss in Dubai if Smith would be moved to the position but said the batting order was the responsibility of the skipper.

“I’m happy wherever the captain puts me,” Smith said.

“I’m just enjoying my cricket at the moment and hopefully spending a lot of time out in the middle again in the next Test, whether it’s three, four, five or six, I don’t care.”

Smith said he loved batting at No.3 in the one-dayers, although Clarke has said Shane Watson’s return from injury in November against South Africa is likely to push Smith down the order again.

“It is a place I enjoy batting in one-day cricket because you get to face more balls and set your innings up,” Smith said.

“It worked well for me in the last couple of matches.”

STEVE SMITH’S KEY NUMBERS

* Age: 25

* Home state: NSW

* Test matches: 21

* Debut: v Pakistan at Lord’s, July 2010

* Runs: 1438 at 39.94 including 4 hundreds

* Past 12 months; 673 at 48.07 including 3 hundreds in 9 matches.

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