Australia vice-captain Steve Smith is known for his personality on the field. During the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India in Melbourne, Smith praised a special delivery from fast bowler Akash Deb that hit him on the box.
It happened in the latter stages of the day during the 83rd over of Australia's innings on Day 1. The last ball of the over was a short-length delivery heading towards the stumps. The ball straightened after being thrown and bounced past the outside edge of Smith as he played inside the line.
It hit him right in the groin area and Steve Smith rejoiced in pain. Despite being beaten in the box, Smith praised Akash Deb who was caught on the mic. “That's a beautiful ball,” Smith said after being hit in the groin area.
He watches: Ravindra Jadeja turns on Jasprit Bumrah during the MCG Test
Steve Smith praises Akash Deb's special ball after he was hit in the penalty area
Special comments from Steve Smith after he was hit in a certain area 🫣#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/RcNRVKHrFH
– 7cricket (@7cricket) December 26, 2024
This was not the first time the batsman had been hit on the box in the day. Marnus Labuschagne was also injured in that area earlier in the day. Overall, the pitch was good and had something for both batsmen and bowlers.
Fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep got good bounce and troubled the batsmen in certain periods. Not just the fast bowlers, but the pitch had some help for the spinners as well. India's Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar found some turn as they flew the ball.
Akash Deb bowled well with no luck
Meanwhile, Akash Deep has been working hard all day with no luck. The fast bowler bowled tightly all day and showed why he is primed for Test cricket. He took 1-59 in 19 overs on day one and will aim to add more wickets to his tally on day two.
Akash continued to bowl consistently and kept the pressure on the Australian batsmen with his tight lines and lengths. He was finally rewarded with the wicket of Alex Carey later in the day. Carey was dismissed by Akash Deb off the first delivery of the second new ball which took the outside edge of the bat to Rishabh Pant.
Steve Smith shines with the bat
Steve Smith, on the other hand, was in style all day and scored an excellent 68 off 111 balls. Smith remained unbeaten to the end and carries Australia's hopes of progressing towards a big score.
Despite being beaten on some occasions, the experienced Australian batsman made sure to settle the matter and take his team to a good position. Apart from him, Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, and Marnus Labuschagne are the only other batsmen to score half-centuries on day one.
All four of Australia's top batsmen reached their fifties but there was no contribution from the lower middle order except a short counter-attack from wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey, who scored 31 off 41 balls.