David Warner sarcastically reminded Steve Smith of the unfortunate incident from last year’s Sydney Test against India, asking him to stay off the surface used in Karachi ahead of Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against Pakistan. Warner told Smith to avoid standing on the playing surface even as he had not worn the […]
David Warner sarcastically reminded Steve Smith of the unfortunate incident from last year’s Sydney Test against India, asking him to stay off the surface used in Karachi ahead of Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against Pakistan.
Warner told Smith to avoid standing on the playing surface even as he had not worn the spikes so as to avoid another controversial instance of him shadow batting.
Forever in love with batting, the Australian modern-day great had faced criticism from certain corners for shadow batting on the crease after an alleged attempt to worsen up the surface used for the third Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy last winter.
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David Warner pulled Steve Smith’s leg in Karachi Test.
The incident happened on the final day of the New Year’s Test 2021 when India were fighting hard to salvage a draw and take the series to the decider in Brisbane. During a resolute partnership between Rishabh Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara, at the end of an over, Steve Smith was seen standing on the playing surface and shadow batting, before he marked a fresh guard on the track.
After the game ended in a draw, a clip of the same went viral over social media and attracted accusations on Smith of trying to deliberately tamper with the surface. Not just fans, even some of the biggest names of Indian cricket went on to allege Smith of an attempt to alter the condition of the surface.
Tried all tricks including Steve Smith trying to remove Pant’s batting guard marks from the crease. Par kuch kaam na aaya. Khaaya peeya kuch nahi, glass toda barana.
But I am so so proud of the effort of the Indian team today. Seena chonda ho gaya yaar. pic.twitter.com/IfttxRXHeM— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 11, 2021
The uproar eventually died down as it was accepted that Steve Smith was not doing anything unfair to the surface and was only habitually marking his guard after standing at the crease. But the Australian camp seems to have taken a good note of the whole controversy, as Warner asked Smith to avoid repeating his mistake cheekily ahead of the start of play on Day 2 in the Karachi Test.
In a clip posted over Twitter, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled how Warner asked Smith to stay off the surface with a tone of sarcasm.
Good morning!
Day-Two of the Karachi Test, first up we bring you an update on Alex Carey
Also a polite reminder for Steve Smith! #PAKvAUS #BoysReadyHain pic.twitter.com/C1GqevsE9a— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 13, 2022
Smith, who has gone through a rare dip in his returns since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, has shown encouraging signs of coming back to his best in his first couple of innings on the historic Pakistan tour. The unorthodox right-hander batter struck a solid 72 off 214 balls in the first-innings in Karachi, having made 78 off 196 balls in his only knock of the first Test in Rawalpindi.
