"Unreal downfall..."- Twitter hits at Steve Smith after continuous failures as Australia's new Test opener

Steve Smith’s life as Australia’s new Test opener has not started the way he would have expected as he departed for just 6 in the 2nd innings of the 2nd Test against West Indies at the iconic Gabba stadium in Brisbane. Smith had replaced the retired David Warner from the opening slot and has been pairing with Usman Khawaja since the 1st Test in Adelaide.

In his first instance as Test opener, Steve Smith departed for just 12 runs off 26 deliveries in the 1st Test at the Adelaide Oval as he became West Indies debutant pacer Shamar Joseph’s first Test wicket in what was the 24-year-old’s first ball in international cricket.

It was a good delivery by Joseph as the ball experienced a slight hint of outswing before taking the outside edge of Smith’s bat. Then in the 4th innings while chasing the target of just 26 set by West Indies, Steve Smith remained not out for 11 off 22 as there was a very less amount of runs to chase.

However, in the 2nd Test after West Indies fought back against the Aussie pace battery to post a very good total of 311, thanks to the knocks from Kavem Hodge (71), Joshua Da Silva (79), Kevin Sinclair (50) and Alzarri Jospeh’s quickfire 32 off 22.

When Australia walked out to bat, they were seemingly under pressure with the way West Indies batted especially after their top and middle-order collapse. The openers, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja had the onus of giving the Aussies a good start but that was far away from happening.

Veteran pacer Kemar Roach removed Steve Smith for just 6 runs and scalped his wicket in the final ball of the opening over. He fell under the scrutiny of Roach who bowled a very good in-swinging delivery, pitching outside off but hitting straight to the pads before wicket.

Now Smith has scores of 12, 11 and 6 as Australia’s new opener in red-ball cricket. Moments later Australia’s middle-order suffered a dramatic collapse as it was predicted after Steve Smith moved up top. Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head all failed to put up a steadying performance as they departed for 3, 8 and 0 respectively.

Upon Smith’s failure, here are some of the best Twitter reactions:

I know it's only three innings but being Steve Smith, he must be disappointed

Let's see whether he continues as opener in the next series or back in no.3/4 slot!#SteveSmith #AUSvsWI #AUSvWI https://t.co/AhODKEGxWw

— Snehasis Mukherjee (@snehasis_95) January 26, 2024

what the heck are you doing mate ?#AUSvsWI #SteveSmith pic.twitter.com/Cn6gc98fRt

— or.junn ✍️ (@shehatearjun) January 26, 2024

Ohhhh Steve Smith 💔
On review, Kemar Roach gets Steve Smith LBW first over!

#AUSvWI #Cricket pic.twitter.com/646isGvQ9o

— Aussies Army🏏🦘 (@AussiesArmy) January 26, 2024

Troll him as much as you can… Laugh at me, but I think he'll come back. If he doesn't, then I'll learn to satisfy myself with whatever moments he gave till now😔#AUSvWI #smith #stevesmith pic.twitter.com/7yTZhAcu1m

— nk💫 (@nkoptimist) January 26, 2024

Unreal Downfall #SteveSmith pic.twitter.com/N17iEmEdRm

— voom (@117insemi) January 26, 2024

Steve Smith getting lbw in first over against grandpaa roach..#AUSvWI #stevesmith pic.twitter.com/rEVQsAJybG

— Pratham (@its_pratham272) January 26, 2024

Why he is opening when he is not comfortable with this ??
Ruining his own stats in test cricket 😡💔 #AUSvWI #SteveSmith https://t.co/sQIQx1hjTf

— Dr.Deepak Jain (@Deepakjain1827) January 26, 2024

"Unbelievable start! Steve Smith falls lbw in the very first over of the innings. The struggle continues for him, even in the opening position this series. 😲 #AUSvWI #CricketDrama #SteveSmith" pic.twitter.com/w6cVrrAppO

— Hemant ( Sports Active ) (@hemantbhavsar86) January 26, 2024