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Key Points

Steve Smith has publicly supported batting coach Michael Di Venuto after former wicketkeeper Ian Healy criticized Australia's Test batting performance. Healy suggested the team has regressed under Di Venuto's coaching since 2021. Smith countered by praising Di Venuto's dedication and expertise, emphasizing that players must perform on the field. Australia currently leads the Test series against West Indies 1-0.

Key Points: Steve Smith Backs Michael Di Venuto After Ian Healy's Batting Coach Criticism

  • Smith defends Di Venuto amid Healy's criticism
  • Healy claims Test batting regressed under Di Venuto
  • Smith highlights players' responsibility in performance
  • Australia leads West Indies 1-0 in Test series
3 min read

Steve Smith defends Australia's batting coach after Healy's performance regressed remark in Tests

Steve Smith defends batting coach Michael Di Venuto after Ian Healy claims Australia's Test batting has regressed under his tenure.

"Any criticism of 'Diva', I am completely against it. He works as hard as anyone. - Steve Smith"

Bridgetown, June 30

Australia's talismanic batter Steve Smith has come out in defence of batting coach Michael Di Venuto following backlash from former Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy, who claimed the Baggy Greens top-order has "regressed" in recent years during his "friend's" reign.

Smith linked up with the Australian team ahead of the second Test against the West Indies in Grenada after missing out on the series opener due to a compound dislocation to his small finger he sustained in the World Test Championship final at Lord's.

In the opening Test, Kensington Oval's strip, which played all sorts of tricks on the batters, Australia missed Smith's presence in the middle order. The WTC 2025 finalists were dwindling at 22/3 in the first innings and 65/4 in the second.

"Australian cricket's batting head coach and every state batting coach [should be under pressure] because there's not enough runs being scored around the nation," Healy said on SEN Radio, as quoted from the Sydney Morning Herald.

"Michael Di Venuto - a friend of mine who is a good coach and a good man - has held the job since mid-2021. In this time, our national team batting has regressed in performance at Test level. That's all that's important to me, the performance. I don't care how you do it or what will make it easier for you - just get it done," he added.

Smith refuted Healy's remark about Di Venuto and feels the batting coach has done a "wonderful" job since taking over the position in 2021. For Smith it isn't Di Venuto who goes out on the field to bat, it is up to the players to deliver on the pitch.

"Any criticism of 'Diva', [I am] completely against it. He works as hard as anyone. He knows batting inside out. He's seen cricket all around the world. He's done a wonderful job for a long time now, and the boys are really enjoying working with him," Smith said, as quoted from the Sydney Morning Herald.

"He's not the one out there actually doing the batting. Guys have to be able to figure it out themselves in the middle, and sometimes you can't have someone holding your hand out there," he added.

After cruising to an emphatic 159-run triumph with consummate ease in the opening Test to go 1-0 ahead, Australia will look to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series with the second contest set to kick off on Thursday.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Interesting debate! In India we always blame coaches when team underperforms. Maybe we should learn from Smith's perspective - players must take responsibility. Though I must say, our batting coach has done wonders with youngsters like Gill and Iyer.
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Aman W
Healy's comments seem harsh yaar. Cricket is a team sport and one coach can't be blamed for everything. Remember how we blamed Shastri ji but then we won in Australia? Players need to own their performances.
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Sarah B
As someone who follows both Indian and Australian cricket closely, I think this debate mirrors what happens in India too. Too much focus on coaches when actually it's about player skills and mental toughness. The best coaches can only do so much!
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Vikram M
Honestly, this Australian batting lineup is still better than most teams. They won WTC final against us! Maybe Healy is being too critical. Our Indian team has had worse batting collapses in recent years, but we don't blame just the coach.
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Nisha Z
I disagree slightly with Smith. A good coach makes difference - look at how Dravid improved our team's discipline. But yes, ultimately players must perform. Maybe Australia needs fresh approach like we got with Dravid replacing Shastri.

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