During an Ashes series littered with poor play, England’s wicketkeeper Smith somehow plumb fresh lows.
The keeper’s demise during the second day’s play of the fifth Test versus the Aussies was called “one of the worst in living memory” according to lead Test Match Special voice Jonathan Agnew.
Former England paceman Steve Finn, commentating on television, said it was “totally mindless”.
An Unusual Passage of Play
As the lunch break neared at the SCG and Australia attempting to burgle a few overs to hurry along the second new ball, the hosts turned to the part-timer Labuschagne to bowl a spell of his very occasional medium-pace.
Smith had moved to a sketchy 46. His partnership alongside Joe Root – who remained not out on a masterful century – was worth 94.
The Australian side, lacking a frontline spinner, were using the occasional off-spin of Travis Head from the other end.
“We better describe this field, because it is unbelievable,” said Jonathan Agnew via the radio. “He usually bowls leg-spin but is being employed as bouncer bowler. There is nobody within reach of the batsman.”
Somehow, Smith obliged. Off the fourth delivery he sent down, the England wicketkeeper stepped back and tried a wild slog.
He succeeded in picking out the fielder Boland, the only fielder in front of square on the off-side, at cover point.
‘Disgusting’ – The Fallout
In doing so, he succumbed to one of the most staggering wickets for an English batsman in Test cricket, one that perfectly encapsulates the reckless character of their loss of the Ashes.
“No. No!” exclaimed former England fast bowler Agnew. “I’ve watched plenty of cricket and that is one of the worst I have ever seen.”
Alex Hartley, a Women’s World Cup winner with the England women’s team in 2017, added: “That is disgusting. Absolutely filthy. It is disgusting.”
Steven Finn, an Ashes winner for England during the 2010-11 tour of Australia, was more scathing: “That is totally senseless. I cannot believe what I’ve seen there. That will make for a very quiet changing room for Jamie Smith to walk back into.”
A Skittish Innings Concludes
It ended an edgy innings from the Surrey man, who might have been out by Cameron Green on a number of occasions prior to Labuschagne’s introduction to bowl.
On 22, Smith edged to cover, but the video to show Green had bowled a no-ball. The following delivery, Smith edged past wicketkeeper Carey and first slip Webster.
He also gloved a Green bouncer over the slip cordon on 30 and later, on 34, miscued a pull that just evaded the mid-on fielder.
A Slump In Form
This latest poor display in Sydney comes at the end of an incredibly poor Ashes series for Smith, extending a poor run of form that began during the English summer.
After Smith made a brilliant 184 at Edgbaston versus India last July, his batting average stood at almost 59. Eight matches later, it has fallen to 42.
- He has passed 50 just a single time on this tour.
- At Perth, he did not adapt to the big grounds succumbing to the short ball.
- In Brisbane, his first match with a pink ball, he missed two vital chances as keeper.
- His 60 in the follow-on of the third Test was his highest score of the series, but he was caught off Mitchell Starc just when he was giving England a chance of a miraculous victory chase.
Before the fifth Test he was omitted from the white-ball teams for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka and the World T20 that comes after.
Questions Over His Place
Smith retains the second-best batting average for a wicketkeeper who has kept wicket in a minimum of 20 Tests for England, but his steep decline of form could leave questions over his place for the home summer.
“Jamie Smith is nowhere near the form he should be,” stated former England captain Michael Vaughan. “This side must learn and understand. I saw comments suggesting he would likely receive a pat on the back for attempting to be aggressive.”
“That is the culture that is being created in this England side and it is why they have failed on this tour. Sometimes to be aggressive but when it is so near the interval and a part-timer is bowling bouncers. That is unacceptable. It sums up this England side.”
