Former Australian skipper Steve Smith has been the centre of attraction ever since he landed in South Africa for the limited-overs series. After getting booed by the Johannesburg crowd for hitting a dead ball for a boundary in the first T20I, Smith is now being lauded for his ‘Superman’ effort in the field during the second T20I against Australia in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
In the 6th over of the match, South Africa skipper Quinton de Kock smashed a short ball from Adam Zampa that was pitched outside off. The ball seemed to be flying over the boundary ropes. However, Australia’s own ‘Superman’ – Steve Smith – rushed to his left at deep mid-wicket and flung himself in the air. He caught the ball mid-air after stretching his hands.
But, once he realized that he was going over the ropes, he let go of the ball and safely parried it back into play. The brilliant hit from QDK, which should have been a six, just ended up being a single.
Ludicrous fielding from Steve Smith pic.twitter.com/Ykepk6bNTv
— Mac – The Return (@MacTheReturn1) February 23, 2020
The Proteas leveled the three-match series
South Africa turned in an excellent death bowling effort, and captain Quinton de Kock struck a half-century to help beat Australia by 12 runs in the second T20I at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.
Chasing 159 for victory, David Warner scored 67 not out, but it was not enough to carry his team over the line as Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, and Kagiso Rabada were on target under pressure in the closing overs.
The Proteas victory squared the series at 1-1, with only the match in Cape Town to be played on Wednesday, February 26.
