Sydney: Australia batsman Steve Smith faced severe criticism on social media on Monday after he was seen scuffing up the area around the batting crease on day five of the ongoing Pink Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
During the first session, the stump cams recorded members of the Australian side coming to the crease.
Smith appeared to be using his feet to scuff the marks left by wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. It then forced the batsman to take his guard all over again, reported Fox Sports.
Taking a note of this act, former India batsman Aakash Chopra tweeted: “Shoes can be used for many things. Removing an opponent’s batting guard mark too … Not for taking sharp catches though.”
Virender Sehwag posted a video of the incident on social media and Vaughan replied: ‘This is very very poor from Steve Smith!’
Taking a note of this act, former India opener Virender Sehwag made a video post on his Instagram account and wrote: “Tried all tricks including Steve Smith trying to remove Pant’s batting guard marks from the crease. Par kuch kaam na aaya. Khaaya peeya kuch nahi, glass toda barana.
“But I am so, so proud of the effort of the Indian team today. Seena chonda ho gaya yaar,” he added.
Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra tweeted: “Shoes can be used for many things. Removing an opponent’s batting guard mark too… Not for taking sharp catches though.”
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan on Monday criticised Australia’s Steve Smith after the latter was seen scuffing up the area around the batting crease on day five of the third Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The former player said it was a “very, very poor” act from Smith.
“This is very very poor from Steve smith!” Vaughan tweeted.
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