Steve Smith under fire over 'horrible' scenes in Sri Lanka Test
Steve Smith was left absolutely filthy with Usman Khawaja late on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka after a calamitous mix-up saw the Aussie star run out.
In a chaotic final hour in Galle, Australia lost three wickets to go to stumps at 3-98 after dismissing Sri Lanka for just 212.
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David Warner was trapped lbw for 25 by Ramesh Mendis, Marnus Labuschagne reverse-swept the spinner straight to gully and the Smith was left visibly furious after being run out.
Smith was on six when he was struck on the pads and the ball rebounded to the vacant off side.
After initially calling 'no' the former Aussie captain gestured for Khawaja to come through for a single, to which Khawaja appeared to call 'yes'.
However Smith was left high and dry when Khawaja changed his mind and sent him back, with the star batter run out by a mile.
After a desperate dive in an attempt to make his ground, Smith sprang to his feet and immediately gesticulated with his batting partner.
A clearly furious Smith was seen raising his arms to Khawaja before shaking his head furiously as he made his way off the ground.
Cricket fans were left in disbelief over the disastrous mix-up, while many questioned Smith's reaction when he showed up Khawaja in the middle of the pitch.
Regardless of who is at fault, really poor afters from Smith. That is not a leader
— Paul Lockwood (@LockwoodPaul32) June 29, 2022
A range of emotions from Steve Smith as he walks back and none of them are of any kind of endearment towards Usman Khawaja. Fortunately, Australia have two team buses. Don’t expect the two to be in the same one tonight #SLvAus pic.twitter.com/5TzruZsUMd
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 29, 2022
Petulant from Smith, regardless of who’s fault it was. Bit of self control mate.
— Ben Shaw (@Nortonsandals) June 29, 2022
Yes it’s misunderstanding or miscommunication but the way he is over reacting is just too childish. Another brain fade moment of Mr Smith who is still a vice captain and the captain and coach who sail that ship in those 2 years of storm are out of team. Figure that
— Ankit (@ankitkshukla) June 29, 2022
Smith's first call is no. Regardless of whose fault it is, he's an international cricketer, and the display of petulance can wait for the change rooms.
— Adam Hourigan (@adamhfoto) June 29, 2022
Call me crazy, but if I’m the non striker, I’m not running when the striker puts his glove up in the air like that, no matter if he subsequently takes off……
— Arkers (@Thelandofark) June 29, 2022
A bit of dignity walking off please Steve Smith. Keep the hopefully mature and reflective discussion with your team mate for the privacy of the dressing room. You being so childishly demonstrative is more of an embarrassment than the runout.
— JoJo (@jojobythebeach) June 29, 2022
Smith makes the stop signal hand gesture just before he takes off for the run, bit hard on Khawaja I reckon.
— Craig Byron (@CraigByron1) June 29, 2022
again 100%. That situation has happened to anyone that's played cricket - I've done it and been on the receiving end. Smith is 33 now - grow up and put Khawaja and the team first.
— Sam Walker (@samuelsays11) June 29, 2022
Smith at fault here. He started, stuttered then started again - the hesitation made Khwaja doubt Smith was committed to running.
— donutphilosophy 🍩 (@donutphilosophy) June 29, 2022
Nathan Lyon passes Richard Hadlee with five-wicket haul
Earlier, Nathan Lyon joined elite company with his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
The Aussie spinner claimed figures of 5-90 to help bowl Sri Lanka out just after tea on the opening day of the two-Test series.
On the same day Sri Lanka paid tribute to Shane Warne, leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson also vindicated his selection with a fine 3-55 and at one stage took two wickets in successive balls.
But Wednesday belonged to Lyon, who joined Clarrie Grimmett, Dennis Lillee, Glenn McGrath and Warne as the only Australians to claim 20 five-wicket hauls.
He also passed New Zealand great Richard Hadlee and now sits 12th on the all-time wicket-takers list for Test cricket with 432 scalps.
Derided for his inability to take command with his spin in the 2016 series against Sri Lanka, Lyon failed to take a five-wicket haul in that 3-0 flogging.
He has since spoken about the lessons taken from that, including realising he needed to learn to bowl ugly on the sub-continent with more variations in his release point.
"I've learned a lot from my time in the sub-continent but also in Australia about how to bowl off breaks and what is effective," Lyon said.
"That phrase of bowling ugly is something I refer to myself to make sure I use my variations and bowl at the right speeds.
"I have fallen in love with the shape of off-break bowling in Australia, and coming to the sub-continent is something I need to do to make sure I am getting the best out of myself."
He claimed the key wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne for 28 just after lunch on Wednesday, drawing his inside edge before Warner leapt forward to take a one-handed catch at slip.
Angelo Mathews became Lyon's next victim when he glided him straight to Warner at leg slip, before the off-spinner ended a rearguard action from Dickwella (58) to run through the tail early in the final session.
"I was really proud of the way we came back after tea and stuck to our plans," Lyon said.
"I see this game as being pretty even, so plenty of work to do."
with AAP
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