Published 20:49 IST, November 13th 2019
Steve Smith victim of mega umpiring blunder during Sheffield Shield clash
Steve Smith was gutted after an umpiring blunder saw him walk back to the pavilion. He was dismissed for 103 which helped New South Wales get to 444/8
- SportFit
- 3 min read
Steve Smith has had a very good year. He had made his comeback to international cricket earlier this year after a 12-month ban for his involvement in the infamous ball-tampering scandal which shocked the cricket world. Playing in the Ashes 2019, Smith proved why he is the number one Test batsman after a successful outing in the five-match series. He then carried his form in the game's shortest format against Pakistan which the Aussie won by 2-0. Meanwhile, Smith who is currently playing in the Sheffield Shield was very annoyed after his bizarre dismissal.
Umpiring blunder leaves Steve Smith fuming
Steve Smith is a batsman who makes the bowlers toil hard and earn his wicket. This was proved in the Ashes series against arch-rivals England. However, it is frustrating for any batsman when he is given out in the wrong manner and that is exactly what had happened with the top-ranked Test batsman as well. It happened during the Sheffield Shield contest between New South Wales and Western Australia. Smith had scored a brilliant century and was looking to take NSW to a mammoth score. However, his stay in the middle came to an abrupt end in the most bizarre manner. On the fourth ball of the 121st over which was bowled by Marcus Stoinis, Smith attempted to play an uppercut off the short delivery which was bowled. However, he missed it completely and the ball was collected by Josh Inglis behind the stumps. Meanwhile, Western Australian players appealed for a catch and surprisingly, the on-field umpire gave it out much to Smith's dismay as he went back to the pavilion by shaking his head and with a crestfallen face. He also raised his bat half-heartedly to the crowd. He went back for a 295-ball 103.
The match so far
Riding on Steve Smith's century, NSW declared their innings at 444/8 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Western Australia in their first innings were 85/1 at the end of Day 2 with D'Arcy Short and Shaun Marsh unbeaten at 39 and 25 respectively. WA are trailing by 359 runs.
Updated 22:26 IST, November 13th 2019