South Africa bowling coach reveals the strategy to neutralise Steve Smith 

Steve Smith [Source: AP]

South Africa bowling coach Charl Langeveldt feels that the first 20 balls Australian vice-captain Steve Smith faces in the upcoming Test series against the Proteas will be the key. 

Charl Langeveldt believes that since Steve Smith made some alterations to his technique, South Africa will look to bowl fuller to him rather than bowling short, a tactic that most teams try against him. 

The 33-year-old has changed his batting technique, pretty evident in the recently concluded Test series against West Indies, where he finished as the third-highest run-scorer of the series.

Here's what Langeveldt said

"The key to most of the top six is the first 20 balls and to make them play. Steve has changed. He is not on the move anymore and he has got a good base now where he is not moving around the crease as much,

"I think it is going to be a good challenge for our boys. The boys are up for the challenge but the key is going to be that first 20 balls where we need to really make him play more." 

Langeveldt was also delighted with the way the South African pacers bowled in the warm-up match against Cricket Australia XI at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane. 

"The guys got the fuller lengths that we want. Conditions are different in Brisbane to anywhere else in the world really."

South Africa is currently on a tour of Australia, where they are set to lock horns with the hosts in three Tests and as many ODIs. The first Test match between the two teams is scheduled on December 17 at the Gabba, Brisbane. 

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