In an Ashes series riddled with low-quality cricket, England’s wicketkeeper Smith managed to plumb new depths.
Smith’s exit during the second day’s play in the final Test versus the Aussies was labelled “one of the worst in living memory” according to lead Test Match Special voice Jonathan Agnew.
Ex-England paceman Steven Finn, speaking on TNT, stated the shot was “totally mindless”.
A Strange Scenario
As the lunch break neared at the SCG with the hosts looking to sneak some overs to hurry along the second new ball, the hosts turned to the part-timer Labuschagne to deliver a spell of his extremely rare gentle seamers.
Smith had progressed to a sketchy 46. His partnership alongside Joe Root – who remained not out on a masterful century – had added 94.
Australia, lacking a frontline spinner, were using the occasional off-spin of Travis Head from the other end.
“We should explain this setting, as it is unbelievable,” said Jonathan Agnew on the radio. “He typically bowls wrist-spin but here he is used as bowler of short balls. And there is not a soul within reach of the batsman.”
Against all logic, Smith obliged. From the fourth ball he sent down, Smith stepped back and attempted a wild slog.
He managed to picking out the fielder Boland, the sole fielder in the front half on the off-side, at cover point.
‘Disgusting’ – The Fallout
In doing so, he succumbed to one of the most staggering wickets of an England batter in the longest format, one that neatly sums up the careless character of their Ashes series defeat.
“No. No!” cried former England fast bowler Agnew. “I have seen a lot of cricket and that dismissal is among the very worst I have ever seen.”
Former spinner Hartley, a World Cup champion with England back in 2017, chipped in: “That shot was filthy. Totally filthy. It’s disgusting.”
Finn, an Ashes winner with England during the 2010-11 down under, was more scathing: “That is completely senseless. I can’t believe what I just saw then. That will make for a very quiet dressing room for Jamie Smith to walk back into.”
A Nervy Innings Concludes
This concluded a jittery knock from the Surrey man, who might have been out to Cameron Green on a number of occasions prior to Labuschagne was brought into the attack.
On 22, Smith was caught, but the video to show Green had bowled a no-ball. The following delivery, Smith edged between wicketkeeper Alex Carey and Beau Webster.
Smith also top-edged Green over the slip cordon when he had 30 and later, on 34, skied a pull shot that narrowly missed mid-on.
A Slump In Form
This most recent debacle in Sydney concludes a hugely poor Ashes for the wicketkeeper, continuing a bad patch with the bat that began during the English summer.
After Smith made an astonishing 184 at Edgbaston against India in July, his batting average stood at nearly 59. Eight Tests since then, it has dropped to 42.
- He has made a fifty only once on this tour.
- At Perth, he failed to adjust to the big grounds and was bounced out.
- In Brisbane, his first match in day-night cricket, he put down two crucial catches behind the stumps.
- His 60 in the follow-on at Adelaide remains his top score of the series, yet he holed out off Mitchell Starc just when he was offering England a chance of a miraculous run-chase.
Ahead of the Sydney Test he was omitted of England’s limited-overs squads for the upcoming tour to Sri Lanka and the World T20 that follows.
Doubts About His Place
Smith retains the second-best batting average for a gloveman that has kept in a minimum of 20 Tests for his country, but his steep decline in form could leave a doubt about his position for the home summer.
“Smith is far from the form he needs to be in,” said former England captain Michael Vaughan. “This England team must learn and understand. I saw comments that said he will probably get a pat on the back for attempting to be aggressive.”
“That attitude is the mindset that is being created within this team and it is why they have failed on this tour. Sometimes to be aggressive but when the situation is so near lunch and Marnus Labuschagne is bowling bouncers. That is unacceptable. It sums up this English team.”
