Steve Smith usually remains a quiet and calm customer in the middle, but against Sri Lanka in Galle on Wednesday, he lost his cool and even lashed out at batsman Usman Khawaja at the other end, who played Smith. He played his part in getting run out. It all happened in the 20th over of the Australian innings, when Smith dismissed Ramesh Mendis. The ball hit his pad and went to the off side.
That was when Smith opted to charge for a single, but Khawaja’s refusal to run left him high and dry. As Smith reached back, he realized he lacked the crease as the bails were removed in one stroke. An angry Smith lost his cool and pointed angrily at Khawaja before returning to the pavilion. Watch the video below.
Nathan Lyon’s five-run chase helped Australia bundle out Sri Lanka for 212, before the hosts bounced back with three wickets in a fast-paced opening Test on Wednesday.
Sri Lankan spinner Ramesh Mendis scored 98 for three at stumps twice on a turning pitch at the picturesque Galle Stadium, including the crucial 25-run wicket of David Warner.
Steve Smith was run out for six with opener Usman Khawaja making an unbeaten 47 and waving his hand in despair and returned to the pavilion.
Khawaja and fellow left-hander Travis Head, batting on six, were still trailing by 114 runs in their first innings.
Warner was dismissed lbw by Mendis, an off-spinner, when the left-handed opener hit five boundaries in an aggressive stay on the wicket.
Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed in a reverse sweep attempt, but it was Smith’s wicket that kept the home visitors alive. The former captain was dismissed midway for a quick single by Khawaja and failed to make the crease despite a desperate dive.
Khawaja, who was saved by a missed stumping by wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, continued the fight till the end of the game.
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