Steve Smith cops 'disgusting' Ashes crowd backlash in milestone Test

Cricket fans have taken to social media in disgust over the crowd treatment of Steve Smith for his milestone 100th Test on day one of the third Ashes match at Headingley. Mitch Marsh celebrated his return to Australia's Test side with a stunning century (118 runs) to help the Aussies set a first innings score of 263, before Pat Cummins (2-28) led the way for the Aussies with the ball to leave England at 3-68 going into day two.

Following the Jonny Bairstow controversy from the second Test, it was not surprising at all to hear the boos ring out for Cummins' men before play, as the typically hostile Headingley crowd let their feelings be known about the visitors. However, the boos that rang out both when Smith came out to bat - and again when he trudged back to the pavilion for 22 runs - left a bad taste in the mouths of viewers.

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Here was a man described by former England captain Nasser Hussain as Australia's second-greatest batter ever after Don Bradman, celebrating his 100th Test for Australia, being incessantly jeered by English supporters. Hussain had written an article for the Daily Mail before the Test, urging his countrymen to “stand and applaud” and show their respect towards one of the greatest batters of his generation.

Those calls fell on deaf ears when Usman Khawaja (13) joined fellow opener David Warner (4) back in the sheds, prompting a chorus of boos and jeers as Smith made his way out to the middle. The Aussie great copped the same hostile send-off when he became Stuart Broad's second wicket, with the English crowd also giving it to second Test 'villain' Alex Carey when he came to the crease.

Viewers outraged after Steve Smith booed in 100th Test

The boos reached new decibels when Carey - the man responsible for the Bairstow stumping - walked out to the crease before the crowd started chanting: “Stand up if you hate Carey.” Fans also applauded when he was struck on the shoulder by a ferocious Chris Woakes bouncer, but it was the crowd treatment of Australia's milestone man Smith that many fans found unacceptable and very much not in the "spirit of cricket".

Mitch Marsh capitalises as England miss chances

Smith's wicket left the Aussies reeling at 4-85 on day one before Marsh marked his return after a four-year absence from the Test side with a 102-ball century. The masterclass from Marsh wasn't without chances though, and Joe Root will be kicking himself for dropping a sitter in slips when the all-rounder was on 12.

That spill typified another poor day in the field for England, with Bairstow dropping Travis Head down legside on eight, before the Aussie went on to make 39. The England wicketkeeper has now put down several chances in this series, prompting calls for Ben Foakes to come in as gloveman and Bairstow to play as a specialist batter.

England have now put down 14 catches for the series and missed one stumping, with an injury to Ollie Robinson adding to their misery. The quick didn't return after leaving the ground with back spasms and his fitness could prove crucial for England later in the match.

with agencies

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