Smith relishes ‘game of chess’ as Australia look to square India series

AHMEDABAD, AFP: Stand-in captain Steve Smith is looking forward to a new “game of chess” against India as Australia aim to square the series on another spin minefield when the final Test begins in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

India were chastened by a rare home defeat in the third Test last week and are looking to bounce back to take the series 3-1, and with it secure their berth in the ICC World Test Championship final at the Oval in June. Australia clinched their place in the showpiece with their nine-wicket third Test win, completed before lunch on the third day on a treacherous Indore track.

Australia captain Pat Cummins has remained at home because of a family illness, leaving his deputy Smith with another chance to pit his wits against India in the subcontinent, something he clearly relishes.

“It’s a game of chess, every ball means something,” said Smith after the Indore victory, which followed India’s wins in Nagpur and Delhi.

“It’s good to just move people and try to make the batter do something different and just play games with them,” Smith said after the Indore triumph.

“It’s probably my favourite place in the world to captain.” 

India and Australia’s prime ministers are scheduled to attend on Thursday where another sharply turning wicket is expected at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket ground with a capacity of 132,000.

Joe Root’s England were thrashed there twice two years ago, including inside two days in a day-night game, the shortest completed Test since 1935.