'That's horrible': Steve Smith under fire over calamitous moment
Steve Smith and Matthew Wade were involved in a “horrible” runout on Sunday night as India beat Australia in the second T20 international.
Smith was overlooked for captaincy duties at the SCG after Aaron Finch was ruled out with injury, seeing Wade get the nod for the first time in international cricket.
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Smith’s 24-month leadership ban, imposed by Cricket Australia in the aftermath of the ball-tampering saga, expired in March.
However, Sunday night’s T20 delivered confirmation the superstar batsman still has work to do if he is to ever lead his country again.
Wade appeared to relish the added responsibilities as he smashed Australia to a commanding start.
Opening the batting, Wade plundered 58 off 32 balls before he was involved in a runout mix-up with Smith.
After Wade popped a catch to India captain Virat Kohli, the Aussie skipper started to walk off the field before realising his counterpart had dropped the ball.
Smith, who saw Kohli drop the ball before Wade realised, could have sacrificed himself and kept Wade at the crease, but opted to send his batting partner back and retreat to his own crease.
“That’s horrible out in the middle, but in the end, Wade will have to depart,” Mark Howard said in commentary for Fox Sports.
“By geez, that was a dropped catch that Wade couldn’t believe, Virat's second of the series, and then he gets run out - a calamity of errors.”
Adam Gilchrist joked it was “not international cricket of the quality.”
Wade was clearly unimpressed with the breakdown in communication, which came when Smith was only on three.
Smith went on to score 46, but many felt he should have run through and sacrificed himself so the red-hot Wade could stay at the crease.
Kohli drops his second soda in as many games, but still runs out Matthew Wade. Steve Smith doesn't run. Incredible sequence of events.
— Ben Horne (@BenHorne8) December 6, 2020
Anti-climactic end to Wade's special.
Steve Smith should have sacrificed his wicket.#AUSvIND #Cricket— Broken Cricket Dreams - Cricket Blogger (@cricket_broken) December 6, 2020
That was very selfish move by #stevesmith to send Wade back. #INDvsAUS #indvsausT20
— The Lone Wolf (@IamLoneWolf_17) December 6, 2020
Thankyou Steve Smith for getting wade out 😂🕺 #INDvsAUS #wade
— Clairvoyant (@Anachronist26) December 6, 2020
What was that ? Brain fade in both ends Virat Kohli to Matthew Wade to Steve Smith
— Proud Viratian (@Ab48583240) December 6, 2020
Brainfade moment with Mathew Wade when Steve Smith is around 😳🤯#AUSvINDonSONY #AUSAvIND #INDvsAUS #Wade https://t.co/uYRAYTSa2T
— Anshul (@t_anshul) December 6, 2020
Hardik Pandya smashes India to stunning victory
Daniel Sams snared the prized scalp of Kohli but got smacked for two sixes by Hardik Pandya as India claimed a thrilling final-over victory.
A rampaging Pandya scored 42 off 22 balls, where his 28-minute blitz blasted the tourists to a six-wicket win and unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Master chaser Kohli threatened to personally march India to another victory, only to become a memorable maiden wicket for Sam in the 17th over of the innings.
But Pandya and Shreyas Iyer were undeterred and reduced their side’s victory equation to 14 runs from the final over, which was delivered by Sams.
Pandya heaved the second and fourth balls of the final over over the rope to secure victory, with India finishing 4-195.
Finch, David Warner, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Ashton Agar - all part of Australia’s first-choice T20 side - were unavailable for a variety of reasons.
with AAP
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