Jamie Smith declared ‘dumbest cricketer in Test history’ by Justin Langer

Former Australian head coach Justin Langer lit up the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 after witnessing Jamie Smith’s madness that left the entire cricket world stunned and England shell-shocked on day two of the ongoing fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.

Justin Langer Slams Jamie Smith

Langer has ignited a firestorm by branding Jamie Smith a dumb cricketer after his reckless dismissal on day two of the ongoing New Year’s Test at the SCG.

Batting alongside Joe Root in the first session, Smith never looked settled. His footwork was shaky, his shot selection unsure, yet he kept surviving when he should not have. But Australia eventually got the success in the crucial moment that brought them back into the game.

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The Costly Moment of Madness

Jamie Smith was just in survival mode at the SCG. Australia thought they had him caught at cover off Cameron Green, only for the delivery to be ruled a front-foot no ball. The very next ball produced a thick edge that somehow slipped between Alex Carey and Beau Webster at first slip without a touch.

Those escapes kept England alive as Root and Smith added 94 runs together. Smith continued to live dangerously, batting like a man running on borrowed time with Australia desperate for a breakthrough before lunch. In a surprise move, the Australians handed the ball to part-time bowler Marnus Labuschagne late in the session.

The Labuschagne delivery that ended the partnership was anything but a threat. It was short, wide, and sat up after pitching, a ball that should never have troubled a Test batter. Instead of playing safe, Smith backed away and went for a big offside hit.

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The gamble backfired as the ball sailed straight to Scott Boland at deep extra cover, bringing Smith’s innings to an end on 46 and handing Australia a gift-wrapped wicket.

The only possible audio accompaniment to a wicket that tops the pantheon of daftness...#WhyDidHeDoThat? pic.twitter.com/pcIpPGg4SV

— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) January 5, 2026

Langer's Explosive "Jamie Smith has played one of the dumbest shots you'll ever see in Test cricket" Reaction

The dismissal triggered fierce criticism, with Langer leading the backlash and branding the shot one of the most senseless decisions seen in Test cricket. In a scathing attack, Justin Langer said on Seven, “Well bowled, brilliant bowling, dumb batting.”

Langer added, “Getting out like that, there's got to be some questions asked from their leadership. It's unforgivable when he's playing for his spot in the Test side. Not for the first time in this series, Jamie Smith has played one of the dumbest shots you'll ever see in Test cricket.”

Cricket Pundit Backlash Explodes

Former England women’s star Isa Guha said on Fox Cricket, “Jamie Smith, what have you done? Too many times in this series Australia has been handed a gift, and there is another one.”

Australia women's captain Alyssa Healy said, “There was one man in front of point on the off side, and he picked him out. I know this is the way they play and the way they want to approach it, but you cannot honestly tell me he's going to walk back into that change room and be patted on the back.”

Australian legend Brett Lee could only laugh as he said on-air, "It's a rank bumper outside off-stump, but what was he doing? What was Jamie Smith thinking? It was a poor shot … It's a filthy shot.”

Another former Aussie legend, Simon Katich, slammed Smith while admitting that the reckless moment was not that surprising given the way he had been batting. Katich said on SEN, "It's not a surprise though. That's a poor shot. He's gifted his wicket there. It's poor batting.”

Simon Katich on SEN after Jamie Smith's dismissal to Marnus Labuschagne's short ball: "He’ll go in the dressing room now and probably get pats on the back for taking the game on."

— Matt Roller (@mroller98) January 5, 2026

On the other hand, former England fast bowler Stuart Broad felt Smith may have to pay a price for his dismissal at the SCG. Broad said while commentating in the match, “It was a pretty unusual innings, actually, not just an unusual dismissal.”