Overview
- On day two in Sydney, Smith was caught at deep cover off Marnus Labuschagne, who bowled occasional medium pace with a heavily defensive field.
- The over prior included a reprieve when Cameron Green’s caught‑at‑cover was overturned for a no‑ball, followed by a thick edge that ran between Alex Carey and Beau Webster for four.
- Commentators condemned the shot selection, with Jonathan Agnew calling it one of the worst dismissals he has seen and Steven Finn describing it as completely brainless.
- Australia improvised without a specialist spinner, pairing Travis Head’s part-time off-breaks with Labuschagne’s short-ball ploy five overs before the second new ball.
- The episode intensified scrutiny on Smith’s declining series returns and compounded pressure on Green after a difficult run with ball and in the field.