Smith could play Tests this year - Ponting

Ricky Ponting believes Steven Smith could be thrown into Test cricket in India later this year, if he is not given a chance even sooner in the games against Pakistan in England. Cricket Australia is considering a BCCI proposal to change the scheduled seven ODI series in October to two Tests and three one-dayers.

If that happens, the selectors will consider playing two spinners in the Tests, and Smith is next in line behind Nathan Hauritz having been called into the squad over the summer. Last time Australia visited India, Cameron White and Jason Krejza combined in one match and Ponting said such an option would put Smith in the mix.

"You'd look at that for sure, playing two spinners," Ponting told the Australian. "Most teams that go there look at a couple of spin options when they play Test cricket in India. If he happens to get named in the Test squad for the games against Pakistan in England, I think that would be very valuable experience for him as well.

"Maybe the opportunity may come up for him in England. He's done everything right, he's a terrific young bloke, he's impressed everybody with what he's done and his attitude is outstanding. He's a work in progress as far as his bowling's concerned, there's no doubt about that, as all young spinners are around Australia. The more exposure he can get to better players the better off he'll be and it should speed up his learning processes."

Smith's batting ability - he has a first-class average of 56 - could mean three fast men remained in the side along with Smith and Hauritz. However, such a scenario would be less likely on the quicker pitches at home for the Ashes and Hauritz knows there will be added pressure on him to perform now that Smith is on the scene.

"I have been picked and that to me is important, whether I play or not that's out of my control," Hauritz said. "There's always going to be talk about Steve Smith no matter what he does now.

"He played well in the Twenty20s and the Australian public and media love Shane Warne and they are looking for a leg-spinner to replace him and I have had that all of my career. I can't do anything about that. I have got to make sure that I am bowling well, giving myself the best opportunity every time I do, so that's all I can do."

The squad for the two Tests against Pakistan in July won't be named until after Australia A play a four-day game against Sri Lanka A later this month. Smith is not in that squad, as he will already be in the British Isles with the ODI group for a five-match series against England.