An ‘Thoughtless’ Dismissal Which ‘Encapsulates’ England’s Ashes Series Tour

In an Ashes series full of poor play, England’s Jamie Smith managed to plumb fresh lows.

Smith’s dismissal during the second day’s play in the final Test versus the Aussies was called “one of the worst in living memory” by lead Test Match Special voice Jonathan Agnew.

Former England paceman Steven Finn, speaking on television, stated it was “completely mindless”.

An Unusual Session

With lunch approaching at the SCG with the hosts attempting to burgle a few overs to hasten the second new ball, the hosts turned to Marnus Labuschagne to deliver some of his very occasional medium-pace.

Smith had moved to a scratchy 46. His partnership with Joe Root – who remained not out on a masterful century – had added 94.

The Australian side, lacking a frontline spinner, were employing the part-time off-breaks from Travis Head at the other end.

“We better describe this field, because it is remarkable,” commented Jonathan Agnew via Test Match Special. “Marnus Labuschagne typically bowls wrist-spin but is being employed as a bouncer bowler. And there is nobody within reach of the batsman.”

Against all logic, Smith obliged. From the fourth ball he sent down, the England wicketkeeper moved back and attempted a flat-batted swipe.

He managed to picking out Scott Boland, the sole fielder in front of square on the off-side, at cover point.

‘Disgusting’ – The Reaction

In doing so, he became victim to one of the most staggering dismissals of an England batter in Test cricket, a moment that neatly sums up the slapdash character of their Ashes series defeat.

“Goodness no!” cried ex-England fast bowler Agnew. “I have seen a lot of cricket and that dismissal is among the very worst I’ve ever witnessed.”

Former spinner Hartley, a Women’s World Cup winner with the England women’s team back in 2017, chipped in: “That shot was filthy. Absolutely awful. It is appalling.”

Steven Finn, an Ashes winner for England during the 2010-11 down under, went further: “That’s completely senseless. I can’t believe what I just saw there. That’s going to be an incredibly quiet dressing room for Jamie Smith to return to.”

An Unsettled Innings Comes to an End

This concluded an edgy knock from Surrey’s Smith, who could have been dismissed by Cameron Green on a number of occasions before Labuschagne’s introduction into the attack.

On 22, Smith edged to cover, but replays showed Green overstepped. Next ball, Smith edged between wicketkeeper Carey and first slip Webster.

He also top-edged Green over the slip cordon when he had 30 and, on 34, skied a pull shot that just evaded the mid-on fielder.

A Slump Of Form

This most recent poor display at the SCG concludes a hugely disappointing Ashes for the wicketkeeper, continuing a bad patch of form which started in the home summer.

After Smith made an astonishing 184 at Edgbaston versus India last July, his batting average was almost 59. Eight matches later, it has dropped to 42.

• He has made a fifty just a single time in Australia.
• In the first Test, he did not adapt to the large boundaries succumbing to the short ball.
• In the second Test, his debut in day-night cricket, he missed two vital catches behind the stumps.
• His 60 in the second innings of the third Test was his highest series score, yet he holed out to Starc just when he was offering England hope of an unlikely run-chase.

Before the fifth Test he was omitted from the white-ball teams for the tour to Sri Lanka and the T20 World Cup that comes after.

Questions Over His Place

Smith still has the second-highest batting average for a wicketkeeper who has kept wicket in at least 20 Tests for his country, yet his steep decline in form could leave a doubt over his place for the home summer.

“Jamie Smith is far from the form he needs to be in,” stated former England captain Vaughan. “This side must learn and accept. I read something that said Jamie Smith will probably get praise for attempting to be aggressive.”

“That attitude is the mindset that has been fostered within this team and that is why they have fallen short in Australia. There are times to get on the front foot but when it is so near lunch and a part-timer is bowling short. That is unacceptable. It epitomises this England side.”