In a series for the urn littered with substandard cricket, England’s Jamie Smith somehow find fresh lows.
Smith’s dismissal during the second day’s play in the final Test versus the Aussies was described as “a truly awful one I have ever seen” by BBC chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew.
Former England fast bowler Steven Finn, commentating on TNT, stated the shot was “utterly senseless”.
A Strange Session
As the lunch break neared in Sydney with the hosts looking to sneak some overs to hurry along the second new ball, Australia turned to Marnus Labuschagne to bowl a spell of his very occasional gentle seamers.
Smith had moved to a sketchy 46. His stand with Joe Root – who remained not out on a commanding century – had added 94.
The Australian side, lacking a frontline spinner, were employing the part-time off-breaks from Travis Head from the other end.
“We should explain this field, as it is unbelievable,” commented Agnew on Test Match Special. “Marnus Labuschagne usually bowls wrist-spin but is being employed as bouncer bowler. There is not a soul within reach of the batsman.”
Against all logic, Smith obliged. Off the fourth delivery he sent down, Smith moved back and tried a wild slog.
He succeeded in finding Scott Boland, the sole fielder in front of square on the off-side, at cover.
‘Awful’ – The Reaction
By doing that, he became victim to among the most astonishing wickets for an English batsman in Test cricket, one that perfectly encapsulates the careless nature of England’s Ashes series defeat.
“Goodness no!” cried ex-England quick Agnew. “I’ve watched a lot of cricket and that is among the very worst I have ever seen.”
Former spinner Hartley, a World Cup champion with the England women’s team in 2017, added: “That shot was filthy. Totally filthy. It is appalling.”
Steven Finn, an Ashes winner for England on the 2010-11 tour of Australia, went further: “That is totally brainless. I cannot believe what I just saw then. That will make for a very quiet changing room for Smith to walk back into.”
A Nervy Innings Concludes
It ended a skittish knock from Surrey’s Smith, who could have been dismissed to Cameron Green on a number of occasions before Labuschagne was brought into the attack.
On 22, Smith was caught, only for replays showed Green overstepped. The following delivery, Smith slashed past wicketkeeper Carey and first slip Webster.
He also top-edged Green over the slip cordon when he had 30 and, on 34, miscued a pull that just evaded the mid-on fielder.
A Decline In Form
This latest horror show at the SCG concludes a hugely disappointing Ashes for Smith, continuing a poor run of form which started in the home summer.
After Smith made an astonishing 184 at Edgbaston against India last July, his average stood at nearly 59. Eight Tests later, it has fallen to 42.
- He has passed 50 only once in Australia.
- At Perth, he did not adapt to the large boundaries succumbing to the short ball.
- In Brisbane, his debut with a pink ball, he put down two vital chances as keeper.
- His 60 in the follow-on at Adelaide was his highest score of the series, but he was caught off Mitchell Starc just when he was offering England a chance of a miraculous run-chase.
Ahead of the Sydney Test he was omitted from the limited-overs squads for the tour to Sri Lanka and the World T20 that follows.
Doubts About The Future
Smith still has the second-highest average for a wicketkeeper that has kept in at least 20 Tests for England, but his steep decline of form could raise a doubt over his place for the home summer.
“Smith is nowhere near the rhythm he needs to be in,” stated former England captain Vaughan. “This England team must learn and accept. I read something suggesting Jamie Smith 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 that is why they have failed on this tour. There are times to be aggressive but when the situation is so near lunch and a part-timer is bowling bouncers. That is unacceptable. It epitomises this England side.”
