Johnny Bairstow (left) was overhead into microphones saying 'See ya Smudge' Steve Smith (right). Photo: Reuters/Lee Smith.
Steve Smith was pissed off at Johnny Bairstow's tender send-off as England once again made their way to the third Test of the Ashes.
Smith failed for the second time in his 100th Test, dutifully slapping Moen Ali into the center of the wicket, shortly after. after Marnus Labouchagne also gave his gate to Moin.
When Ben Duckett caught Smith, Barstow said, «See you later.» , spot». Enraged, Smith turned around and said, “Who was that helper? Hello!» Barstow confirmed exactly what he had said, adding, «I said, 'Hooray, see you later!'» Smith walked off, muttering something. ;dir='ltr'>'See you Smudge!' 👋
'What was that, mate?!? HELLO!' 😠
Johnny Bairstow hits Steve Smith in the head 👀 pic.twitter.com/PyTKFuaC4s
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 7, 2023
For now, this is unlikely to be written in the pantheon of great sleds or Ash-aps busts , it's a window into the simmering tensions between the teams and the delicate state of the series.
Ben Stokes' 80 points helped England finish their first inning just 26 behind, but Australia stabilized well on either side of the tea thanks to Usman Khawaja and the second Labushagna's wicket post with 57.
But Moin broke through and Khawaja fell before Chris Wakes meant the game was back to balance at the end of the third day. In a territory that has favored test chasing in recent years, Australia will look to increase its lead above 300.
Barstow is enjoying a wonderful series. On Opening Day at Edgbaston, he made a run-a-ball 78 but as he had problems with his gloves — he missed a difficult chance from Labouchan one ball before Moen sacked him on the second day — and was unusually stumped on Lord. , prompting strong reactions from cricket pundits and politicians in both countries.
Alex Carey stumped Bairstow, who walked out of his own court, believing that Cameron Green had finished and the ball was therefore dead, as England tried — and failed — to pull off an epic chase. Instead, they need to be down 2-0 to win the Ashes for the first time in their history.
Ashes analysis: Will MacPherson Steve Smith bucks under pressure as Stokes keep Ash alive An injured Ben Stokes kept England's hopes alive for Ashes as Australia manager Andrew MacDonald acknowledged the pressure placed on his top team on another agonizingly stressful day.
Stokes followed up his 155 in Sunday's 80 loss to give England a first-inning concede of just 26. On penalties, Australia extended their lead to 142 due to the loss of their top four.
Steve Smith fell for two in an almost believable way in his 100th Test, dutifully turning to midwicket to give Moin Ali his 200th Test scalp. England keeper Johnny Barstow sent Smith on his way saying «See you later, Smudge», while the batsman turned angrily and challenged him.
'What have you done, Steve Smith!?' 😅 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ziSFqkRjwb
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 7, 2023
McDonald said he was unaware of Smith's reaction to the hand sled, but said that the erroneous stroke was an example of pressure.
«I didn't see him turn around, so I didn't see it,» McDonald said. departments. This will happen in games that ebb and flow when they remain in balance. Whenever it's high pressure, there will always be mistakes, and that's what happened to Steve.»
This all came at a period when England stormed back into the game as Australia lost three wickets out of 22. In Moen's previous over, Marnus Labouchagne had barely moved into the deep middle of the wicket to put England into the match. Moin reshuffled the 17-over spell in just 34 attempts at the end of the day, but Macdonald believed that Mark Wood's sheer pace brought a new «dynamic» to England's attack.
↩️ Marnus Labouchagne
↪️ Steve Smith
Australia lost two! 🇦🇺 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/sgSxYJrM3Y
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 7, 2023
Moin admitted that he was thankful for the bad hits of two of the world's leading batsmen, as he became only the third England player to take 200 wickets despite being pressured. due to Stokes and Ollie Robinson being unable to bowl due to injury.
“Yes, 100 percent,” he said when asked if he was grateful for the gifts. “I didn’t think I was going to get wickets, the first innings I was bowling and he didn’t spin much, but today was good because I was trying to be aggressive and attacking. At the same time, I felt like I was doing a good job because I wasn't going to run. Obviously Robbo is on his back at the moment so I'm just trying to do my job well while I can. Those were good wickets.
“I am satisfied with 200 wickets. We are in a good position and those two wickets were somewhat gifted, but overall I think I played pretty well.”
Both sides now believe Stokes' strike is the key to the result. He started five sixes, scoring nine on Sunday to keep England hopeful again. On this pitch four years ago, he performed Ash's miracle by scoring 135 but failed almost single-handedly to lead England to a one-wicket victory.
McDonald acknowledged that Australia needed to find a way to fire Stokes sooner and said his aggression caused «dysfunction» with a couple of catches dropped.
“When there is Stokes, you are never in complete control, we have seen that for a period of time,” he said. «We have to figure out a way to get through Ben Stokes in the second inning.»
Ali: «England can't rely on Stokes all the time»
Moin, who got into a terrible hoik, was full of praise for Stokes for being kept England in the Test but admitted his teammates needed to get up. Stokes has been battling glute, hip and knee injuries but still looks to be in great shape.
«He's the only player in the world that everyone is going to think about this situation, especially against Australia because he's done it a couple of times already,» Moin said.
«Whether it's a white ball or a red ball, as long as it's there, you always have a great chance of winning. By the way, he is a brilliant player and a great captain. While he's there, we have a good chance.»
«More than anything, situations matter, he loves these situations, he benefits from them. But we cannot rely on it all the time. We have very good players, dangerous players that we just need to come to the party, just like Ben. Ben is playing brilliantly, but other players have a chance.”
Australia captain Pat Cummins scored six wickets earlier in the day and admitted he was itching for a quieter day of cricket. .
«As soon as one team looks like they're having the upper hand, the other team takes a few wickets or forms a partnership,» he said. “I'm sure the fans love it, but I wouldn't mind a stress-free day or two! Everything is ready for another wonderful m
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