Australia National Cricket Team’s big batsman Steve Smith opened to take on Pakistan National Cricket Team’s main left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test between Australia and Pakistan in Perth Stadium.
The Pat Cummins-led team is in a dominant position in the ongoing test match against the visitors. They took a 300-run lead late in the third day’s play and looked set to clinch victory in the series opener.
By batting first, the Australians posted a massive total of 487 on the board, taking advantage of the sensational century of David Warner, who amassed 164 runs, and the magnificent contributions of other batsmen.
On the bowling front, the Australians showed pure class once again and bowled the Shan Masood-led side for 271 in 101.5 overs. They did not impose the follow-on despite having a big lead and finished Day 3 with 84/2 on the board in 33 overs with Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith unbeaten in the middle.
Shaheen has some whip action – Steve Smith
Steven Smith fought hard against the Pakistan bowlers in Australia’s second innings and by the end of Day 3, he was hitting 43 runs off 72 balls, with 3 fours and 1 six. He even suffered a severe blow to his arm so they called the physiotherapist to check him out.
Speaking after the end of the play, he gave an update on the blow he received and said he would recover very soon. Smith further said that he found it difficult to face Shaheen Afridi at the end of the third day’s play due to the left-arm pacer’s quick action.
“It’s okay; a little bruising, but it will be fine. It was a challenge, it got a little dark, there were a lot of shadows. Shaheen has a quick action with her wrist, so it was difficult to reach the lengths, but she overcame it,” Smith said after the day’s game.
Smith also said captain Pat Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald will take a call regarding the innings declaration.
“Leadership of 300, we are 2 less, so it is a good place. It’s up to the leaders to figure that out, the captain and coach will take a call. “We are in a good position, we are doing well in the first session tomorrow and then we will be able to make some decisions from there on what we want to do,” he added.
Talking about Shaheen Afridi, he has not looked good with the ball in the ongoing Test series as he posted figures of 27-7-96-1 in the first innings and also had no wickets on Day 3.
