If there's any glaring weakness that has crept into Steve Smith's game since landing in South Africa, Josh Hazlewood hasn't noticed in the nets.
Smith entrenched himself atop the International Cricket Council's Test batting charts during Australia's home summer, scoring 687 runs at an average of 137.4 against England.
The world's best batsman is averaging 32.50 in the current four-Test series, with the highlight of his four knocks being a 56 in Durban.
The skipper will be desperate to lead from the front when the series, level at 1-1, continues in Cape Town on Thursday.
Smith has been out edging to left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj twice, while he's been trapped lbw by part-time spinner Dean Elgar and spearhead Kagiso Rabada.
On every occasion, Smith's wicket came at at a time when he looked settled after reaching double figures.
"He still looks as good as ever. It's hard to get him out as usual so I think it's only around the corner," Hazlewood told reporters.
"When you average 63 it's a matter of time until the runs start to come.
"He probably just needs to relax and go back to what works for him.
"I'm sure he'll be fine."
Smith has set the bar incredibly high in recent years, averaging 72.94 as skipper, to a point where any time he doesn't reach three figures it almost seems like underachieving.
The right-hander is in the midst of his 17th consecutive Test series, a run of impressive fitness and form that started with a maiden ton in the 2013 Ashes.
During that stretch there have been only three series in which Smith has failed to hit at least one century.
Hazlewood suggested Smith isn't stressing about his output or a last-start defeat in Port Elizabeth.
"He's been good. He knows it's early on in the series," he said.
SMITH'S MOST BARREN SERIES SINCE 2013 ASHES
* 174 runs at 43.5 with 0 tons (v Pakistan in the UAE, 2014) * 212 runs at 42.4 with 0 tons (v South Africa in Australia, 2016) * 119 runs at 29.75 with 0 tons (v Bangladesh in Bangladesh, 2017) * 130 runs at 32.5 with 0 tons (at halfway point of current series in South Africa).
Share
