Smith embracing pressure of Sri Lankan spin test

Steve Smith is ready to embrace the pressure of spinning Sri Lankan wickets, knowing the challenge of difficult pitches brings out the best in his batting.

Currently amid the biggest century drought since before his first ton in 2013, Smith is ready to do it the hard way again in the two Tests in Galle, starting on Wednesday.

Because, by his own admission, that's when he thrives.

Of his 27 Test hundreds, more than half have come with him as the sole century-maker after coming to the crease with Australia far from in command.

Four of those have also come on the subcontinent, where he averages 50.08.

"When the pressure is on, that is when I go to another level mentally," Smith told AAP.

"The longer I have played, the better I have got better under pressure.

"When it's difficult, it's when you want to stand up and help your team get out of whatever sticky situation you are in."

Nowhere have Australia's batters been placed under more pressure than in Sri Lanka in the past decade.

They were thrashed 3-0 on their last tour in 2016, with Smith the only regular batter to average more than 30.

And if there is one thing Smith has missed more during the pandemic than the volume of batting, it's playing in difficult away conditions.

Since the end of the Bradmanesque 2019 Ashes series, Smith has played just three Tests on foreign soil, all of which came on lifeless Pakistan decks earlier this year.

In that time he has scored only the one century, still averaging 39.88 but well down on his mark of 68.97 between mid-2013 and the end of the 2019 Ashes.

"It was a shame we couldn't play any Test cricket away for some time," Smith said.

"I love playing Test cricket away. Everywhere you go presents a different challenge.

"I have missed batting on wickets that are spin friendly.

"They're so exciting, they're fun, there is always something happening. I think it's great for the game to see something like that.

"You have to be switched on, particularly as a batter. You don't get too many second chances, (you must) be really focused and really proactive."

Proactivity will be the name of Australia's game this series.

Australia have spoken about the way they were worked over by the now-retired Rangana Herath in their 2016 loss in Sri Lanka and allowed him to bowl into a rhythm and constantly hit the same length.

This time Andrew McDonald's men want to go at the spinners more, adopting a defend-with-attack mantra with the bat.

"The more you enable them to settle and bowl that one length, that is where you can get yourself into trouble with the ball that skids or the one that spins," Smith said. 

"You play a bit of cat and mouse. 

"Sometimes you might pre-empt coming down the wicket and putting some pressure on, or sitting a bit deeper in the crease."

Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Test squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Jeffrey Vandersay. Standby players: Dunith Wellalage, Lakshitha Rasanjana.

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner. Standby players: Jon Holland, Matthew Kuhnemann, Todd Murphy

June 29 - July 3: First Test, Galle, 2.30pm AEST

July 8-12: Second Test, Galle, 2.30pm AEST

Sri Lanka v Australia Test matches will be screened live on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports