Fans worldwide were not exactly thrilled with Steve Smith’s decision to shuffle in the batting order after David Warner’s retirement.
Australia’s star Test batsman, Steve Smith, is currently facing a challenging phase in his cricket career. Since taking over the opening position from David Warner, Smith has struggled to regain his top form. In the second Test against New Zealand, his struggle continued as he registered low scores once again.
In the first Test, which Australia won by 172 runs, Smith managed scores of 31 and 0 at the Sky Stadium in Wellington. This dip in form dates back to the all-format home series against the West Indies in January-February, where Smith first experimented as an opening batter alongside Usman Khawaja.
The initial phase of Smith as an opener didn’t start well, with scores of 12 and 11* in the Adelaide Test, which Australia won convincingly. In the second Test at Brisbane, he continued to struggle, getting out for just 6 runs in the first innings before showcasing his best innings from the opening slot.
Despite his valiant effort of scoring 91* in the chase of 216 runs, Smith’s innings went in vain against the West Indies. His disappointment was evident, and he was reduced to tears after the heartbreaking 8-run loss at the Gabba.
The decision to shift Smith to the opening position was met with skepticism from fans globally. The ongoing Test series in New Zealand was seen as an opportunity for him to prove himself in this new role, but unfortunately, the script has remained unchanged. In four Test innings, Steve Smith has averaged below 60, marking the first time since 2019 that his average has dipped below this level.
During Australia’s pursuit of 279 for victory, Smith managed only 9 runs, while Khawaja and Labuschagne also fell for low scores. Stumps were called on day 3, leaving Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh to continue the chase tomorrow. The struggles of a once-dominant batsman are garnering attention, and fans eagerly await a turnaround in Steve Smith’s fortunes.
Here are some hilarious fans reaction to Steve Smith:
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