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Switch of focus ... Steve Smith sacrifices his bowling to improve batting. Source: Stu Forster / Getty Images
THE Australian batting line-up has had more trouble establishing positions than a retirement village yoga class.
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Yet, when the steadily improving Steven Smith appeared before the media, there was more interest in his bat than how he had been using it. The inevitable consequence of the allegations of Hot Spot tampering that preceded the fourth Test at Chester-le-Street.
But then, Smith is used to having his personal belief that he is, and always has been, a specialist batsman, overshadowed.
Initially, the false impression Smith was a bowler was accentuated by his blond hair and leg-spin - characteristics certain to arouse the hopes of a nation mourning the loss of Shane Warne.
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Until, that is, Smith's mixed assortment of long hops, full tosses and well pitched leggies made it clear, at the very least, he was not ready to take Warne's mantle.
Even in Smith's two Tests as a specialist spinner in England in 2010 against Pakistan, his performance – including a 71 in the second Test - suggested his future at the top level was wielding the willow, not tweaking the leather.
Earlier this year, Smith was one of the bits and pieces all-rounders taken to India as part of an oddly unbalanced squad. Once again, his batting eclipsed his bowling as he compiled a career best 92 at Mohali.
Now, finally, Smith is mounting a credible case for a permanent position as a batsman. His 89 at Old Trafford was particularly composed by the standards of a batsman with the twitchy mannerisms of Lleyton Hewitt.
Determining the qualifications of a long-term Test prospect on fifties, rather big hundreds, might reflect Australia's desperation. In 10 Tests, Smith has scored 601 runs at just 31.63.
But that Smith combined with captain Michael Clarke in what could have been a match-winning 214 partnership was heartening.
Smith admits nerves contributed to the ugly, mistimed hoik from Graeme Swann that brought about his downfall at Old Trafford, before he could complete his maiden Test century.
"I had a chat with Pup about it afterwards," says Smith. "He says now he doesn't even think about 100. He thinks about 150 as his hundred. One hundred is just a number to him ... you've just got to put it out of your mind as much as possible, get over the line and things get easier for there."
But, over more than four hours at the crease with Clarke under intense pressure, Smith looked increasingly comfortable. So much so, others are saying he is a batsman first and foremost.
"I've always thought of myself as more of a batter than a bowler," says Smith. "I guess in the last two years I've started working more on my batting than bowling.
"I thought a few guys were going to retire quite soon and there were going to be places opening up. So getting big runs was obviously key to trying to get into the side. Now I'm in the side, it's about trying to get big runs here and cement my place as much as possible."
At the same time, Smith acknowledges his bowling has "gone backwards". Although, as he proved at Lord's where he took three wickets, he can still bowl the occasional handy over without the pressure of being the frontline spinner.
"It's good to have a good spinner in the side who has done well, and just come on when we are trying to take a wicket and have that pressure off me," he says.
Smith's next challenge is to prove he can succeed at the top level on bouncier wickets at home. For now, his nimble footwork means he is more likely to be a destroyer of quality spin, than a purveyor of it.
"I think attacking spin is the way I play my best," says Smith who lofted England's accomplished off-spinner Graeme Swann for two straight sixes at Old Trafford. "That's my game plan going forward against spin. I like to take them on."
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