The struggles of Steve Smith in his new role as a Test opener have continued and he’s endured a horrible tour of New Zealand. He finished the two-Test series in New Zealand with scores of 31, 0, 11, and 9.
He was dismissed lbw in both innings in the Christchurch Test, by Ben Sears in the first innings and by Matt Henry in the second innings, and both times Smith gave incredulous reactions, unable to believe that he’d been given out lbw, a mode of dismissal which was rare during his peak years from 2014 to 2023. And both times Steve Smith burned reviews.
In the Christchurch Test, Australia have been given a target of 279 runs to win the series 2-0. But they have gotten off to a troublesome start and are 77/4 by stumps on day 3. Steve Smith was the first wicket to fall, lbw by Matt Henry.
A length delivery from Henry pitched outside off-stump and kept coming into the batter, beat his bad, and struck Smith on his pads in the line. Smith had made a considerable shuffle, but was yet trapped in front of the off-stump. Umpire Nitin Menon gave Smith out, but the Aussie star couldn’t believe it and gave a reaction of shock. He took the DRS to review the call, but to no avail, as it showed three reds and Smith was on his way to the dressing room.
Watch: Steve Smith can’t believe he’s been given out lbw
https://x.com/BLACKCAPS/status/1766679593078190484?s=20
Steve Smith as a Test opener hasn’t been fruitful yet, barring one innings against the West Indies in the lost Gabba Test. As an opener, Smith now averages 28 in 8 innings with only one fifty.
Meanwhile, in Christchurch, Australia need 202 more runs to win the match and the series but have six wickets in hand. Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh are at the crease with the ball doing all sorts of things.
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