Australian batsman Steve Smith is often seen banging the bowlers in every corner of the ground. His habit of shuffling across the stumps makes it difficult for the bowlers to take him on the radar, but on the second day of the ‘Boxing Day’ Test, a rare incident was caught on the cricket field.
Smith was struggling against the barrage of bouncers launched by New Zealand’s speedster Neil Wagner.
On the last delivery of the 101st over when Wagner delivered a lethal bouncer, Smith found himself in an awkward position and it looked as if he was catching the ball.
Smith turned his head away and pushed his gloves in front of the ball. It almost got stuck in Smith’s gloves, before he realized and dropped it on the turf.
Here’s the video of the incident:
Wagner nails the bouncer – and Smith nearly catches himself! #AUSvNZ | https://t.co/Q5Lvt45rWO pic.twitter.com/qmyVIFdGyN
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2019
As per Law 37 in cricket: ‘A batsman could be given out for handling the ball if, while playing a delivery, the batsman intentionally touched the ball with one or both of their hands not holding the bat. A decision of not out would be reached if the batsman handled the ball to avoid incurring an injury. A bowler did not receive credit for the wicket when a batsman was dismissed in this fashion.’
On Friday, Smith resumed his innings at an overnight score of 77, but could only add a few more runs as Wagner dismissed the former Australia skipper for 85. The left-armer again bowled a fiery bouncer to get his man.
