Smith and Shuvo's all-round dreams

If fast bowlers were all the rage for 50-odd years and spinners the 'in thing' for two decades after a certain blonde leggie debuted in 1992, this seems to be the time for all-rounders who can spin the ball, bat aggressively and take breathtaking catches.
With pitches across the world slowing down and getting flatter, the need for more spinning all-rounders has risen. Quality is undeniably key here and there is no doubt that Shakib Al Hasan, Daniel Vettori, Graeme Swann and Shahid Afridi will walk into any team, any day.
After this group come the likes of Steven Smith and Sohrawardi Shuvo, both having debuted in ODIs last year and both age-group stalwarts in their respective countries.
Both are pretenders and have been likened and compared to their greater compatriots: Smith can't take a step without being compared to the great Shane Warne and though Shuvo has it much easier, he has to play in the shadow of his younger, more illustrious BKSP buddy.
Though one is a left-arm spinner and the other a leggie, Shuvo and Smith have similar ambitions to be the finished product, i.e., they want to become complete all-rounders rather than just play supporting roles.
"I get very few opportunities to bat and when I do, I either have to hit or defend. I like to take my time and would like to bat at five or six in the future. Definitely, I would like to be an all-rounder in the near future," said Shuvo.
Smith, on the other hand, didn't know his exact playing role, preferring to fit in but like Shuvo, he also wants to be the genuine article.
"I'm not too sure at the moment. Hopefully I can play whichever role, whether as a batter or a bowler.
"Down the track I would want to be considered a genuine all-rounder. So it is about working hard in the nets and whenever I get the opportunity, I put my best foot forward and do the job for the team," said Smith.
Shuvo, through his 3-44 from eight overs on Saturday against a top-notch line-up, made sure he felt some warmth of the limelight. His length and variation of pace made sure Cameron White and Michael Hussey holed out in the deep in different interludes.
"I felt very good after Saturday's game," said Shuvo. "I continued to bowl tightly and I found the belief that I can be a good back-up for (Abdur) Razzak and Shakib (Al Hasan)."
"I am confident that if those two have a bad day, I can step up. I was also happy that I won the coach's praise. It is always important for the player that the coach believes in him," he said. Siddons, earlier yesterday, mentioned how impressed he was with the left-arm spinner.
"He has never let me down in the dozen games that he has played. When there is a right-hand batsman at the other end, he's dangerous," said Siddons.
The left-arm spinner also took the wicket of Smith, considered dangerous towards the end, for just one in the 46th over.
Smith went on to bowl seven overs of leg-spin and though slightly expensive given the state of the wicket, he did pick up the crucial wicket of Shakib in the 42nd over.
"I was quite happy with the way the ball was coming out of my hand yesterday, seven overs at least. Hopefully, I will get the results in the next couple of games," he said.
Both have a pretty long way to go and given limited opportunities, they would need to play to their full potential to make a space for themselves.
Shuvo can take a leaf out of Shakib's book in playing the perfect understudy (Shakib played with Mohammad Rafique at the start of his career) and then take the lead.
Smith has the motivation to become something that Australia hasn't had since Richie Benaud and Bob Simpson -- a genuine spinning all-rounder.