🔗 Share this article An ‘Mindless’ Exit That ‘Sums Up’ The English Ashes Series Effort In an Ashes series littered with low-quality cricket, England’s wicketkeeper Smith managed to plumb another level of poor judgment. The keeper’s demise on the second morning in the final Test versus the Aussies was called “one of the worst I have ever seen” by lead Test Match Special voice Aggers. Former England paceman Steven Finn, speaking on TNT, said the shot was “completely mindless”. A Bizarre Session With lunch approaching in Sydney and Australia looking to sneak a few overs to hasten the second new ball, Australia asked the part-timer Labuschagne to bowl some of his very occasional medium-pace. Smith had moved to a scratchy 46. His stand with Joe Root – unbeaten with a masterful century – had added 94. Australia, without a frontline spinner, were using the occasional off-spin from Travis Head at the other end. “We better describe this setting, as it is extraordinary,” commented Agnew on the radio. “He typically bowls wrist-spin but is being employed as a bouncer bowler. There is nobody within reach near the batter.” Against all logic, Smith fell into the trap. Off the fourth delivery he sent down, the England wicketkeeper moved back and attempted a flat-batted swipe. He succeeded in picking out the fielder Boland, the only fielder in front of square on the off side, at cover. ‘Disgusting’ – The Reaction In doing so, he succumbed to among the most astonishing wickets of an England batter in the longest format, a moment that neatly sums up the slapdash character of their Ashes series defeat. “No. No!” exclaimed ex-England quick Agnew. “I have seen plenty of cricket and that dismissal is among the very worst I have ever seen.” Alex Hartley, a Women’s World Cup winner with the England women’s team back in 2017, chipped in: “That shot was filthy. Totally awful. It is disgusting.” Steven Finn, who won the Ashes for England during the 2010-11 tour of Australia, went further: “That’s totally brainless. I cannot believe what I’ve seen there. That’s going to be a very quiet dressing room for Jamie Smith to return to.” A Nervy Innings Comes to an End This concluded an edgy knock from the Surrey man, who might have been out to Cameron Green several times prior to Labuschagne’s introduction to bowl. On 22, Smith was caught, only for the video showed Green had bowled a no-ball. Next ball, Smith edged between keeper Alex Carey and Beau Webster. Smith also top-edged Green over the slip cordon when he had 30 and later, on 34, miscued a pull that just evaded the mid-on fielder. A Slump In Form This latest poor display in Sydney concludes a hugely disappointing Ashes for Smith, continuing a poor run with the bat that began during the English summer. After Smith made a brilliant 184 in the second Test versus India in July, his batting average stood at nearly 59. Eight Tests since then, it has fallen to 42. He has passed 50 just a single time on this tour. At Perth, he did not adapt to the large boundaries and was bounced out. In the second Test, his debut with a pink ball, he put down two crucial chances as keeper. A score of 60 in the follow-on of the third Test was his highest score of the series, but he was caught off Mitchell Starc just as he was giving England hope of a miraculous victory chase. Ahead of the Sydney Test he was omitted of England’s limited-overs squads for the tour to Sri Lanka and the T20 World Cup that follows. Doubts About His Place Smith retains the second-best batting average for a wicketkeeper that has kept in at least 20 Tests for England, yet his steep decline of form could raise questions over his place for the home summer. “Smith is far from the form he should be,” stated ex-skipper Vaughan. “This side have to start to learn and accept. I read something that said he will probably get a pat on the back for trying to take the game on.” “That is the mindset that is being created within this team and that is why they have failed in Australia. Sometimes to be aggressive but when it is so near lunch and a part-timer is bowling short. That is unacceptable. It sums up this English team.”
In an Ashes series littered with low-quality cricket, England’s wicketkeeper Smith managed to plumb another level of poor judgment. The keeper’s demise on the second morning in the final Test versus the Aussies was called “one of the worst I have ever seen” by lead Test Match Special voice Aggers. Former England paceman Steven Finn, speaking on TNT, said the shot was “completely mindless”. A Bizarre Session With lunch approaching in Sydney and Australia looking to sneak a few overs to hasten the second new ball, Australia asked the part-timer Labuschagne to bowl some of his very occasional medium-pace. Smith had moved to a scratchy 46. His stand with Joe Root – unbeaten with a masterful century – had added 94. Australia, without a frontline spinner, were using the occasional off-spin from Travis Head at the other end. “We better describe this setting, as it is extraordinary,” commented Agnew on the radio. “He typically bowls wrist-spin but is being employed as a bouncer bowler. There is nobody within reach near the batter.” Against all logic, Smith fell into the trap. Off the fourth delivery he sent down, the England wicketkeeper moved back and attempted a flat-batted swipe. He succeeded in picking out the fielder Boland, the only fielder in front of square on the off side, at cover. ‘Disgusting’ – The Reaction In doing so, he succumbed to among the most astonishing wickets of an England batter in the longest format, a moment that neatly sums up the slapdash character of their Ashes series defeat. “No. No!” exclaimed ex-England quick Agnew. “I have seen plenty of cricket and that dismissal is among the very worst I have ever seen.” Alex Hartley, a Women’s World Cup winner with the England women’s team back in 2017, chipped in: “That shot was filthy. Totally awful. It is disgusting.” Steven Finn, who won the Ashes for England during the 2010-11 tour of Australia, went further: “That’s totally brainless. I cannot believe what I’ve seen there. That’s going to be a very quiet dressing room for Jamie Smith to return to.” A Nervy Innings Comes to an End This concluded an edgy knock from the Surrey man, who might have been out to Cameron Green several times prior to Labuschagne’s introduction to bowl. On 22, Smith was caught, only for the video showed Green had bowled a no-ball. Next ball, Smith edged between keeper Alex Carey and Beau Webster. Smith also top-edged Green over the slip cordon when he had 30 and later, on 34, miscued a pull that just evaded the mid-on fielder. A Slump In Form This latest poor display in Sydney concludes a hugely disappointing Ashes for Smith, continuing a poor run with the bat that began during the English summer. After Smith made a brilliant 184 in the second Test versus India in July, his batting average stood at nearly 59. Eight Tests since then, it has fallen to 42. He has passed 50 just a single time on this tour. At Perth, he did not adapt to the large boundaries and was bounced out. In the second Test, his debut with a pink ball, he put down two crucial chances as keeper. A score of 60 in the follow-on of the third Test was his highest score of the series, but he was caught off Mitchell Starc just as he was giving England hope of a miraculous victory chase. Ahead of the Sydney Test he was omitted of England’s limited-overs squads for the tour to Sri Lanka and the T20 World Cup that follows. Doubts About His Place Smith retains the second-best batting average for a wicketkeeper that has kept in at least 20 Tests for England, yet his steep decline of form could raise questions over his place for the home summer. “Smith is far from the form he should be,” stated ex-skipper Vaughan. “This side have to start to learn and accept. I read something that said he will probably get a pat on the back for trying to take the game on.” “That is the mindset that is being created within this team and that is why they have failed in Australia. Sometimes to be aggressive but when it is so near lunch and a part-timer is bowling short. That is unacceptable. It sums up this English team.”