Smith sees the bigger picture

It is said the best captains are at least a couple overs ahead of most others on the field, seeing potential problems or opportunities emerging before they become evident to all.

Steven Smith revealed evidence of this singular skill, on a wide and significant scale, by enlarging upon the full reasons for his later than expected declaration on the final day of the Boxing Day Test against India.

It was known that Smith wanted to shut the visitors out of the series, a decision he copped considerable criticism for. It was less understood that Smith's decision was motivated by something other than the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Smith knew how difficult the SCG Test would be for a team that has battled to comprehend the loss of Phillip Hughes six weeks ago, and wanted to ensure the contest had been decided by the time they returned to the place of his final innings, for a match likely to stretch all their emotions.

"I said it last week, I didn't want to to let India back in the series at all," Smith said. "I had this week in the back of my mind as well knowing how hard this week could be. To have the series wrapped up I think we can play a little bit more relaxed and not have that extra pressure of having to win this Test match If the same thing comes around again I'm sure I'll be a bit more aggressive."

Such foresight will be an encouraging sign for Australia's coaches, selectors, management and board directors, all of whom have either had an influence on Smith's progress or verified his ascension to the role. Equally wise was Smith's attitude to the plaque unveiled at the entrance to the home dressing room in the Members Pavilion, a spot where all players will glimpse Hughes as they walk out of or back to the inner sanctum.

"Hughesy was one of us, he was one of our good mates," Smith said. "Particularly this week, it's going to be great to be able to walk past that and see the little fella there and give us a bit of inspiration as we're going out on the field.

"The boys have handled it pretty well so far. Davey Warner said yesterday that he might not know how he's feeling until he actually gets out in the middle and starts playing again. We've just got to take care of each other this week. It's pretty important for us to make sure everyone's in as good as spirits as they can be.

"The boys in Adelaide did a terrific job to get themselves up for that Test match so quickly after the tragic incident. I think just coming back to the place where it happened, I thought it was going to be extremely tough for the boys - particularly the ones that were out there on the day. It's going to be a tough Test match for all those involved and everyone else as well. Hopefully we can hold our emotions together and end this series well."

Fatigue and health issues have interrupted the preparations of a few Australians this week. Shane Watson complained of a stomach ailment that shortened his main training session on Sunday, and alongside the assistant coach Craig McDermott he was the last man in the SCG nets, sending down a few preparatory overs to ensure his medium pace outswing was in decent enough fettle for the match.

Rumours of Josh Hazlewood's sore body putting his place in danger were allayed when Smith announced the inclusion of Mitchell Starc for the hamstrung Mitchell Johnson as the team's only change, but he also had reason to ponder the fact that this will likely be the last home Test match for more than one member of the XI. Chris Rogers has made his future clear, and the likes of Ryan Harris and Brad Haddin will also harbour thoughts about where their finish line might be.

"It just shows we're picking the best players around at the moment," Smith said when asked about the ageing members of his XI, chosen on performance rather than potential. "Those guys have had terrific careers. Chris Rogers has scored that many hundreds - I probably can't even count them.

"He's had an exceptional career and done a terrific job for us at the top there. He really complements Davey the way he plays and gets us through that new ball more often than not. He's done a terrific job for Australia. Ryan Harris is a workhorse. He's a quality performer, I think he averages mid-20s with the ball. He's been a terrific performer over a long period of time and hopefully we can play another good Test for them."

Pondering his new opposite number Virat Kohli, Smith offered a subtle barb about his desire to "get involved" in the making of umpiring decisions, while also offering a warm nod to the departed MS Dhoni, who remains in Sydney as the reserve wicketkeeper in the event of a stomach bug or other unfortunate circumstance befalling Wriddhiman Saha.

"MS has been a terrific leader for India for a long period of time, there's no doubting about that," Smith said. "We saw Virat in that first Test match take over the reins there. He did a pretty job for them. He's a quite emotional character and likes to get involved in a lot of the decisions. I'm looking forward to this week again with India."

Indian efforts to find a way past Smith's increasingly broad bat had Dhoni resorting to the posting of a leg slip and having his bowlers pursue a negative line at the MCG, eventually claiming the captain's wicket with the tactic in the second innings. Smith has well-founded confidence he will not be caught out there again, joking in the nets that one glance off the bowling of Hazlewood had flown fine, but also speaking lucidly about how to avoid the trap.

"For me it's a bit of an instinct shot, the more they bowl there it's better for me," he said. "I've scored a lot of runs through there this summer. If they're trying to get me out caught at leg slip it's not a bad thing for me. I'm just going to have to be wary of it and hopefully get out of the of way of a few if they're targeting me in that area again."