'Never seen that': Cricket world in shock over 'astonishing' Steve Smith dismissal
Steve Smith copped one of the unluckiest dismissals in recent memory as Australia crashed to a massive loss to England on Thursday.
The Aussies were thoroughly outplayed at Edgbaston, beaten by eight wickets and completely blown off the park as England booked a date with New Zealand in Sunday's decider.
After a disastrous start of 3-14, Smith posted his highest score of the tournament with 85, but it came to an unfortunate end as he was runout by Jos Buttler.
The England keeper produced a brilliant throw to find Smith short of his ground attempting a quick single, but only on replays was the full extent of the amazing moment revealed.
The ball somehow travelled through Smith’s legs as he was running before crashing into the stumps.
“Can you believe it?” Michael Clarke said in commentary.
“Hit him in the bum, hit him in the leg...hit him anywhere! Nutmeg and runout - it’s not your day.”
Fans couldn’t believe what they’d seen.
What a fluke. Between Smith’s legs, never seen that before. Not our day.
— adrian barich (@adrianbarich) July 11, 2019
Wow that run out ball went through the tinest gap between Steven Smith legs..Wow..never seen that before. #AusvsEng #CWC19
— Krishna Sharma (@Ikrish_) July 11, 2019
The slo mo of that Smith run out is unbelievable. Never seen a running batsman nutmegged.
— David Paxton (@DavidDPaxton) July 11, 2019
Just seen the runout of Steve Smith. Just wow. A direct hit anyway is amazing, but to put it clean through his legs!?!!! Wow #AUSvENG
— Marcus Elliott (and you don't stop) (@marcuselliott) July 11, 2019
Talking of cricket, thought Martin Guptill’s run out of Dohni was spectacular but @josbuttler throwing the ball through the legs of a sprinting Steve Smith was something completely else. Astonishing. #CWC19 #ENGvAUS
— Richard of Hollins (@meer_salt) July 11, 2019
That throw from butler to run out Smith is unbelievable. Through his legs and onto the stump from there #gameover
— JV (@Jonah222) July 11, 2019
Unbelievable.... Buttler’s run out of Smith went between his legs 😩😩🙄🙄 pic.twitter.com/tONW11vm5e
— Michael Arter (@Michael_Arter) July 11, 2019
Bloody hell! That Buttler throw went through Smith’s legs!!! #AUSvENG #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/9HPLx0BOwx
— Proudy (@RProud89) July 11, 2019
England march into final
All out for just 223 batting first at Edgbaston, Australia watched on as Jason Roy helped blast England to victory in just 32.1 overs.
England captain Eoin Morgan described it as one of the team's most complete performances in four years, while Australian counterpart Aaron Finch admitted it was his team's worst of the tournament.
"That was really disappointing how it ended, especially to put up probably one of our worst performances overall for the tournament," Finch said.
"We were totally outplayed to be honest all throughout the day."
‘UTTERLY PATHETIC’: Anger over 'shameful' Steve Smith moment in semi-final
The result means either England or New Zealand will become just the sixth country to win a World Cup in Sunday's final at Lord's.
The decider will be just the third in 32 years not to feature Australia, with the Aussies also having only dropped the 2011 tournament since 1999.
Unbeaten in a World Cup semi-final before Thursday, Australia were on the back foot from Jofra Archer (2-32) and Chris Woakes' (3-20) opening spells.
Finch fell lbw to Archer for a first-ball duck, Woakes nicked off Warner on nine and then bowled Peter Handscomb for four.
By that stage Australia were 3-14, and it was left to Smith to lead a recovery mission.
The former captain posted his highest score of the tournament, but only a gutsy Alex Carey (46) provided any real support in a 103-run fourth-wicket stand.
with AAP