While currently the world's No.1 Test batsmen, Australian coach Darren Lehmann says captain Steve Smith will bowl at some stage during the upcoming Ashes series.
Although rarely used, it was Smith's bowling that first got him into the Test team seven years ago where he took three wickets in 21 overs.
In the last 12 months however, he has only bowled a total of one over at any level of cricket. But you can assure yourself that the captain will bring himself into the attack at some point against England.
Australia will enter the first Test with just four specialist bowlers and Lehmann said Smith has no choice but to bowl a few overs.
“He’ll have to bowl at some stage, I’m sure ... England are a quality side and he’s got some key wickets against England before so he’ll bowl at some stage," Lehmann said.
“We always try to make him bowl. He’ll certainly bowl some through the series.”
Former Australian captain Allan Border has called for Smith to become Australia's fifth bowler which in turns negates the need for an all rounder.
Before Smith became the captain, he put his bowling on the back burner as he went about fine tuning his batting technique which has seen him rise up the ranks of Test batsmen.
While practicing his batting and fielding the captain doesn't find much time to tweak his leg-spin anymore.
“I certainly could bowl if need be (but) I’d prefer not to," he said earlier this year.
“Bowling leg-spin, it takes a lot of time. For me to get a rhythm that I need, it’s about bowling for so long and I like to focus on my batting.”
The first Ashes Test gets underway on Thursday at the Gabba in Brisbane.
