Smith, Paine must not be overawed by Lord's debut: Katich

Published>Fri, Jul 09 10 03:37 PM

London, July 9(ANI): Australian batsman Simon Katich has said that rookies Steve Smith and Tim Paine must not be overawed by the experience of making their Test debuts at Lord's next week.

Katich said that Smith and Paine were the type of players to thrive at the home of cricket in the opening Test against Pakistan, starting Tuesday.

"There is no doubt that it can be intimidating place to be at and it is a special place to play and hopefully the guys will lap it up and enjoy it more than anything," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Katich, as saying.

"Knowing what some of the young guys are like around the group, they are really enjoying being around the group and making the most of their experience," he added.

Meanwhile, he also questioned the merits of limited preparation time for the Test series.

"I honestly don't know why we are playing a two-day match, but there is obviously a reason for it. It must be a schedule, it is the first time that I have been on a tour where we haven't played at least a four-day match," Katich said.

"At least one if not two before a Test series. So, I am not sure, I have not asked anyone why," he added. (ANI)

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