AUS vs PAK: Watch - Steve Smith Trapped By Pakistan's Strategic Fielding In Australia's 1st Innings In Sydney Test

Australian batter Steve Smith fell into Pakistan’s trap on Day 3 of the ongoing third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Steve Smith was dismissed for just 38 runs off 86 deliveries in Australia’s first innings during the New Year’s Test match against Pakistan.

Steve Smith has faced challenges in the home season, amassing a total of 190 runs across five innings in the ongoing three-match Test series. The batter has struggled to convert promising starts into significant scores, securing only one half-century in the series thus far.

Watch – Steve Smith’s Dismissal In Australia’s First Innings

Smith resumed his innings on Day 3 after the second day was cut short due to poor light and rain. The 34-year-old added a solid partnership between Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the first session. However, he was dismissed by Pakistani pacer Mir Hamza.

Pakistan skipper Shan Masood had placed three fielders in an ‘umbrella’ in the covers region. Smith attempted an aerial drive, aiming to clear the close-set trio, but he ended up being caught by Babar Azam. Smith did not get the elevation as the ball held onto the pitch.

The funky field worked!

One of Pakistan’s three cover fielders hangs on to a lofted Steve Smith drive #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/KAKQjT4gS8

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2024

Smith was visibly frustrated, shaking his head and gesturing at the surface. The veteran Australian batter expressed disbelief about his subpar shot, attributing it to the pitch conditions, before dejectedly leaving the field just 30 minutes before the lunch break on Day 3.

Commentators expressed astonishment following yet another disappointing performance by the Australian vice-captain.

“Can you believe it? Can you believe it? First up, he’s fallen for it!” Ian Smith roared.

“That’s remarkable. He’s a great player, but he’s fallen into the trap … it’s the first ball since they went to that trio at short extra cover … Steve Smith falls into the trap,” Michael Vaughan said.

“I think Steve Smith had made his mind up anyway to go over the top,” Mark Waugh said.

Australia Concede 14-Run Lead To Pakistan In Sydney Test

Travis Head was again dismissed for a low score, but Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey stabilized the innings with their partnership. The duo added an 84-run partnership for the sixth wicket before Alex Carey was dismissed by Sajid Khan just before the tea break.

The hosts lost their last four wickets in the final session of the third day’s play in the Test. Young pacer Aamir Jamal picked up all four wickets to bowl out the opposition for 299 runs. Jamal claimed his second five-wicket haul and helped his team secure a 14-run lead.

Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (capt), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (capt), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Aamer Jamal

Also read: PAK vs AUS: Watch – Steve Smith’s Hilarious Celebration After Picking Up Stray Trash During 1st Test