‘What a nightmare’- Australia great on Steve Smith’s slip fielding during BGT 2023
Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden slammed Steve Smith for his slip fielding as he dropped catches of Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja on Day 2 of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur.
Rohit Sharma hit a century, while Jadeja smashed a stunning half-century on the same day. After Australia picked up the key wickets of India, including Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja added a 61-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
The catch to dismiss the India captain was quite difficult for Smith, while Jadeja’s edge was more or or less a regulation chance. The ball came at a good height for the Aussie in the second last delivery of the day. However, Smith was late to react to the ball as it fell to the ground after hitting his arm.
Hayden was critical of Smith’s actions, stating it that it was a nightmare for him.
“What a nightmare this is for a slips fieldsman,” the former Australian batter said on-air. “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!” he said at the end of the day’s play.
Mark Vaugh, Sunil Gavaskar also not happy with Smith’s slip fielding
Mark Waugh also had the same opinion as he said,
“It’s like he doesn’t think the ball will come to him, looks away from the game. 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.”
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar also had something to say about the topic.
“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,” Gavaskar said.
