Cricket fans turn on Steve Smith over 'horrible' act in second Test

Steve Smith had copped an absolute roasting from cricket fans and commentators after a horrible review during Australia's collapse in the second Test against Sri Lanka.

The Aussies were bundled out for just 151 in their second innings on Monday in Galle, losing by an innings and 39 runs.

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It was Australia's first loss by an innings since 2016 and their first ever against Sri Lanka.

Smith was one of the shining lights for Australia in the second Test after his unbeaten 145 in the first innings.

However the star batter went from hero to villain in the second innings after a horrendous review following his dismissal for a duck.

Smith was trapped plumb in front by spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, but opted to waste a review in farcical scenes.

Replays showed the ball pitching and hitting in line and smashing into middle stump, making a complete mockery of Smith's decision to review.

Cricket commentator Adam Collins tweeted: “I’ve seen a lot of bad reviews - they happen. But Smith’s one of the worst; totally lacking in broader match awareness with so many batters to follow and fielders around the bat.”

Former Victorian captain Darren Berry wrote: “That is a very poor review, need to be accountable and honest at both ends irrespective of the player absolutely plumb.”

Cricket writer Peter Lalor also labelled it “one of the worst reviews you will ever see”, while some fans joked that Smith should be banned for the horrible decision.

Australia's use of the DRS was an abject failure in the second Test, burning reviews in the field and unable to use them to overturn a number of umpire errors.

David Warner also wasted one in Australia's second innings, with replays also showing three red lights.

Warner is emerging as a point of concern for the Aussies ahead of next year's tour of India after he was the first to fall lbw for 24.

The opener's last international century came in January 2020 and he has now gone 54 consecutive innings without reaching triple figures.

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The result means Australia finish tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka with two wins, two draws and one loss, but still knowing they must improve before next February's four Tests in India.

"It might be a reality check that it's tough playing away from home, in different conditions to what we've grown up playing in," captain Pat Cummins said.

"We turned up knowing it's a tough place to win.

"In the last two tours we've learned a heap, we've come a long way in how we've played."

Sri Lanka's assault came a week after they lost the first Test in a little over two days and had three players ruled out with Covid-19.

Jayasuriya claiming 6-59 on Monday to become the fifth bowler in Test history to take 12 wickets on debut.

Australia suffered two separate collapses of 4-25 and 3-5, including the dismissals of Usman Khawaja and Smith in the space of four balls to Jayasuriya.

"Some batters went out with a really clear plan and you just get a ball with your name on it earlier than you would've liked," Cummins said.

"There were so many positives out of last week that we did find methods that work, and one small hiccup doesn't mean you have to change everything."

with AAP

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