Steve Smith is likely one of the most prolific catchers in Test historical past, however the Australian vice-captain had a day to overlook within the slip cordon at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on Friday.
The 33-year-old put down two regulation possibilities on day two of the Nagpur Test towards India – one proved not very expensive, whereas the opposite left a bitter style in his teammates’ mouths at stumps.
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Australia took the second new ball after the tea break, and captain Pat Cummins immediately found success by drawing an outside edge from rival skipper Rohit Sharma, who was unbeaten on 118 at the time.
But Smith couldn’t maintain onto the catch at second slip, with the ball slapping into his wrists earlier than rolling in direction of deep third man.
It was the primary likelihood Sharma had supplied in 211 deliveries on the crease. Smith shook his head in frustration.
Thankfully for Australia, Sharma couldn’t make the most of the reprieve – Cummins knocked him over the next supply with an absolute peach that seamed away from the right-hander and crashed into off stump.
Later within the night session, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel mixed for an unbeaten 81-run partnership for the eighth wicket to frustrate the Australian and push India’s lead in direction of 150.
Nathan Lyon, bowling his thirty seventh over of the innings, thought he had unearthed a vital breakthrough on the penultimate ball of the day, getting a supply to show and catch the surface fringe of Jadeja’s bat.
But as soon as once more, Smith couldn’t get the job executed. Standing upright at first slip, he desperately threw out his proper hand to no avail, finally flailing on the turf after placing down one other likelihood.
“What a nightmare this is for a slips fieldsman,” former Australian batter Matthew Hayden stated in commentary.
“Sort of remained unsighted there. Should have made a better effort than that. Concentration factor – second last ball of the day. Bang. Gotta be on!”
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar continued: “Absolutely, he wasn’t bending low. I don’t think he was expecting the catch to come there.
“The back isn’t bent and the catch came towards the knee. So that can make the difference. Yes, it’s been a long day. It’s been a tiring day, but the last couple of deliveries is where your concentration is most tested.
“Tough day for Steve Smith, he’ll feel it. he’s a good catcher.”
It was uncharacteristic for Smith to overlook a number of possibilities within the subject – he’s at the moment fifth on Australia’s all-time tally for many Test catches with 151 in 93 matches. Only New Zealand’s Stephen Fleming has taken extra Test catches at a sooner charge.
Earlier within the Nagpur Test, India’s Virat Kohli got here underneath hearth for botching two slip catches throughout Australia’s first innings, handing an additional life to Smith and Peter Handscomb on day one.
“It’s like he doesn’t think the ball will come to him, looks away from the game,” former Test batter Mark Waugh stated in commentary.
“You have got to read the play. You have got to pretend you are actually batting when you are fielding at first slip to the spinners.
“Your legs have to be lot closer to be able to move quickly. Kohli was very high-up in his position. Should have stayed down a bit. He should have done a little bit better. Almost as if he wasn’t expecting it.
“He’s a pretty good fielder but there are a few technical things that he can work on. Those chances that dropped they both came quickly. Maybe change a couple of things, the way he stands and then he won’t drop any more catches.”
India was 7-321 at stumps on day two, main by 144 runs with Jadeja unbeaten on 66 and Patel on the different finish on 52.
Originally printed as ‘Should have made a better effort’: Steve Smith places down two slip possibilities
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
