Australian star batsman Steve Smith played a brilliant knock in the late innings of the second Test match against the West Indies team in Brisbane. However, Steve Smith’s efforts went in vain as the Australian team fell short by just eight runs in the low-scoring encounter.
Steve Smith played an unbeaten innings of 91 runs off 146 balls, including a six and nine boundaries. The right-handed batsman failed to guide the team to victory as the Australian batting order collapsed. He carried the bat for him during the successful chase at The Gabba.
Watch – Steve Smith stuns Alzarri Joseph with an outrageous shot
In the crucial moments of the match, Steve Smith showed an unexpected move by taking an outrageous shot. Smith surprised everyone by crawling and hitting a long ball for six off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph when the team needed 20 runs to win.
Steve Smith’s ramp for six, incredible 😮 #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/yzQvYyJUzN
– 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 28, 2024
Smith’s outrageous throw reduced the equation to 14 runs needed for victory. However, Man of the Match Shamar Joseph dismissed Josh Hazlewood in the next over. The Windies achieved the historic victory for the West Indies, the first on Australian soil since 1997.
Joshua Da Silva and Kevin Sinclair rescued the West Indies in the first innings
West Indies posted a total of 311 in their first innings, helped by fifties from Joshua Da Silva, Kavem Hodge and Kevin Sinclair. Mitchell Starc was Australia’s standout bowler, with 4/82, while Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon took two wickets each.
In response, Australia declared their first innings at 289/9, conceding a 22-run lead. Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey and Pat Cummins scored half-centuries. Alzarri Joseph and Kemar Roach were instrumental for the visitors, taking four and three wickets respectively.
The West Indies scored 193 runs in their second innings, setting a target of 216 for Australia. Kirk Mckenzie led with 41, while Alick Athanaze and Justin Greaves made valuable contributions to the team. Australia’s Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon took three wickets each.
Steve Smith will find a way to get hundreds of dollars – Alex Carey
Earlier, Australian batsman Alex Carey expressed confidence in Steve Smith’s batting prowess, acknowledging his recent dismissals as an opener. He highlighted Smith’s ability to overcome challenges and raise hundreds of dollars.
“They have already fired him twice as a starter and they are going to fire him many more times as a starter. He is one of the best batsmen in the world and he will find a way to score hundreds,” Carey said, as quoted by Perth Now.
“He’s done it before in really difficult situations. … A big inning is coming up and hopefully it will be in the second inning,” she added.
Smith took over the opener’s role in Australian red-ball cricket after the retirement of David Warner. He faced criticism due to his modest scores of 12, 11* and a six in the first three innings as an opener. He silenced his critics by delivering under pressure in the late innings.
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