Steve Smith has termed former captain Ian Chappell’s comments advocating protection of tailenders from short-pitched deliveries “outlandish”, saying short balls are a part of the game.

Chappell, an important voice on the game, has not suggested banning bouncers altogether but has called for strengthening laws regarding the protection of lower-order batsmen in the light of a series of blows to head and concussion-related incidents.

Smith though does not agree with the suggestion. “It seems like Ian Chappell has an outlandish statement after every match at the moment,” Smith told ‘SEN Mornings’.

“From my point of view, short balls are part of the game. We’ve seen over the years there’s been some really good battles and I don’t think they should be outlawed at all.”

Smith insisted he has no issue with the quicks bowling short to lower-order batsmen. “Yep, no dramas from me,” he added.

The run-up to the Test series between India and Australia was marred by a series of blows to head and concussion-related substitutes, reviving the debate around the use of bouncers by fast bowlers. While rejecting a complete ban, Chappell had said that the time was ripe for a worldwide review into on-field safety.

Chappell, a former Australia captain, had earlier suggested that switch-hitting, a skill that some of the Australians, like Glenn Maxwell, have picked up well, was an “unfair” tactic.