There is no doubt that Australia’s Steve Smith is one of the best batsmen in Test cricket. The right-hander is currently placed 2nd in the ICC Test Batting Rankings, just behind India captain Virat Kohli. The 29-year-old likes to convert his 50 plus scores into big hundreds.
And, on Friday, Smith created a rather embarrassing record as he consumed as many as 39 balls and took 45 minutes to get off the mark during the first day’s play of the third Test against New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
The crowd at the SCG enjoyed the unusual moment and gave Smith a standing ovation. The reaction from the crowd brought a smile on the face of the former Aussie skipper.
Smith raised his hand and acknowledged the applauds. New Zealand’s bowler Neil Wagner also relished by the response from the crowd and appreciated Smith by giving a tap on his back.
Getting off the mark off your 39th ball? A sigh of relief for Steve Smith! #OhWhatAFeeling @toyota_aus | #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/U3t0oS6aTn
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2020
Smith came out in the middle after the wicket of David Warner who was once again dismissed by Neil Wagner. He stitched a crucial partnership with Marnus Labuschagne of 156 runs. Labuschagne scored his fourth and this year’s first hundred while Smith got out on 63.
At stumps, Australia reached 283-3 with Labuschagne unbeaten on 130 and Mathew Wade batting on 22 at the other end.
