When Steve Smith walks to the pitch with a bat, the fans are in for a treat. He plays strokes all over the park but also keeps the opposition on the toes with sledging. His out-of-the-book style just adds more fuel to it. Now, AB de Villiers recently pulled back the curtain on what it was truly like to share a field with him.
What Did AB de Villiers Say About Steve Smith?
de Villiers, appearing on the “Keepin’ It Cricket” podcast, admitted that Smith’s eccentricities made him one of the most frustrating opponents he ever faced. Not shying away from calling out the theatrical elements defining Smith’s crease presence.
“He’s (Steve Smith) tough to play against when he gets in,” the South African legend said. “It’s a real grind out there, right?
“He’s probably one of the most irritating batters I’ve ever played against. With his mannerisms and the way he calls out loud… No, it was so tough to play against. Oh, I hate that.”
Smith’s unorthodox technique features exaggerated leaves, frantic shuffling across the crease, pad-tapping, and vocal self-talk after every single delivery. A style designed to disrupt rhythm. And it clearly works.
“I mean, I don’t mind playing against a player who gets 100, but with all the sideshows that he puts out there, and I have respect for that. I’m not having a go at him. I actually love that because he’s found a way to be successful,” de Villiers added.
Mr. 360 knows it well. At Gabba, taking a sharp body blow from South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje, Smith was caught loudly talking to and sledging himself while walking back to his mark, humorously shouting out, “Have some of that, Smudge!”
Is Smith the only one? de Villiers named Joe Root too. “Joe Root is another example of that. Incredibly irritating mannerisms,” he continued and explained to Alyssa Healy and Brad Haddin.
“I think, Alyssa, you can—well, both of you can relate to that as a wicketkeeper standing behind the stumps, and there’s just a player that works on your nerves, and Joe Root and Steve Smith are probably top of my list with that.”
The Proteas will have to endure some of Smith’s mannerisms when the first test kicks off on October 9.
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