Victoria batted first and posted 272 runs, with half-centuries from Campbell Kellaway and Peter Handscomb. In response, New South Wales were bowled out for 136 in just 54 overs. Victoria, in their second innings, added 246 runs, setting a target of 383 for NSW. In the first innings, Steve Smith was dismissed for just three runs and fell to Fergus O’Neill.
On Day 3, Smith walked in early after Nic Maddinson’s quickfire 15 ended in the third over. Facing Scott Boland in the fifth over, Smith left an in-swinging delivery that struck him on the pad outside off stump. The umpire gave him out lbw, though the ball appeared to hit him well outside the off stump. Smith, visibly displeased with the decision, walked off the Melbourne Cricket Ground, still frustrated with the call.
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy fast approaching, Steve Smith’s four-ball duck has likely raised some concerns. Now firmly established in the crucial No. 4 position, his form will be under the microscope as Australia gears up to face India in a five-match Test series starting November 22 in Perth.
Oh Smith!
