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Smith has ALWAYS had a flawed batting technique. But he can make it work
for him. You don't get to 9k Test runs at an average of 50 with a
terminally flawed batting technique.
This happens often in pro sports. Jack Nicklaus was criticised for having a "flying right elbow" in his golf swing. He still won 20 Majors with it. Bobby Locke used to hit big draws, and Lee Trevino big fades, that were both not considered to be "classical golf swings". It doesn't matter. They both won Majors with those swings.
Slinga Malinga's slingy technique is not textbook and, had he grown up in SA or Eng, he would probably have been coached out of it. It doesn't stop him destroying batting line-ups in limited overs games with his toe-crushers at the death.
In short, it is not the technique that matters, it is the result. Graeme's result is that, in the time he has been playing, Matthew Hayden is the only opener who boasts a higher average than him. You can't argue with that level of success.
This happens often in pro sports. Jack Nicklaus was criticised for having a "flying right elbow" in his golf swing. He still won 20 Majors with it. Bobby Locke used to hit big draws, and Lee Trevino big fades, that were both not considered to be "classical golf swings". It doesn't matter. They both won Majors with those swings.
Slinga Malinga's slingy technique is not textbook and, had he grown up in SA or Eng, he would probably have been coached out of it. It doesn't stop him destroying batting line-ups in limited overs games with his toe-crushers at the death.
In short, it is not the technique that matters, it is the result. Graeme's result is that, in the time he has been playing, Matthew Hayden is the only opener who boasts a higher average than him. You can't argue with that level of success.
