Smith ready to contribute with ball

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Steve Smith may have been "hitting them horribly" at Australia's first training session under lights in Dubai, but says he is bowling the best he's done for years.

Smith is seeking to cement his spot in Australia's limited-overs teams, particularly in the 50-over format with the ICC Cricket World Cup looming in February, and is keen to continue his good form on the VB Tour of the UAE.

"I hit them horribly tonight but besides that I feel like I've been hitting the ball well," Smith said at the ICC Academy on Friday morning (AEST).

"And I actually feel like the ball's coming out well. Hopefully some good signs and hopefully a few overs as well in the upcoming games.

"In the nets at the moment the ball's probably coming out as well as it has in the last four or five years.

"I just need some game time and trying to get some consistency out there. The only way I can do that is by bowling out in the middle."

Smith has 51 wickets in T20 cricket at 19.37 (17 at 21.94 at international level), and will give skipper Aaron Finch a second leg-spin option alongside Cameron Boyce.

Boyce played one game in the CLT20, three wicketless overs yielding 36 runs, and arrived in Dubai today fresh from the Champions League Twenty20 tournament following the Hobart Hurricanes' loss at the semi-final stage.

Joining Boyce on the flight over was fellow T20 squad member and part-time off-spinner Glenn Maxwell, and all will be keen to get in the nets with new consultant coach Muthiah Muralidaran.

"In these conditions it's great to have someone with those experiences who can help both the bowlers and the batters," Smith said of the 800-Test wicket taking Sri Lankan.

"He'll be able to tell us how their spinners are likely to bowl at us and what their plans are in these conditions and that's quite beneficial for everyone in our team."

The loss of Mitchell Marsh to a hamstring injury, picked up playing for the Perth Scorchers in the CLT20, is blow for Australia's T20 side and Smith was hopefully he'd be able to return to play some part in the tour.

"He's been in very good form, he's playing some very good cricket," said Smith.

"Hopefully it's a quick recovery for him and he'll be right for selection for the Test matches.

"He'd be a bit disappointed. It's just one of those little setbacks and hopefully he's quick in his comeback."