Bazball personified? Or sheer stupidity?
Either way, the result on Monday was ugly for Jamie Smith, who handed Aussie part-timer Marnus Labuschagne his 14th Test wicket on a platter.
Smith linked up with England superstar Joe Root for a 94-run sixth-wicket partnership before falling victim to Labuschagne on day two of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG.
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Bowling right-arm medium pacers, Labuschagne delivered a short-pitch ball to Smith, who charged down the wicket but mistimed an off-side swat that led to a catch to Scott Boland at deep cover.
The wicket sparked wild scenes at the SCG, with a delighted Labuschagne celebrating vociferously with his teammates.
But Smith’s shot of choice left pundits and fans perplexed.
“Jamie Smith, what have you done?! Just before lunch, Marnus Labuschagne gets the breakthrough,” former England player Isa Guha said on Kayo Sports’ live Ashes coverage.
“One too many times in the series, Australia have been handed a gift – and that was another one.
“They had all the momentum with them, just under 10 minutes until lunch … and just before the second new ball as well.”
Australian Cricket Hall of Fame member Brett Lee added: “The golden arm strikes again! Marnus Labuschagne just bowled bumper after bumper after bumper – at 129km/hr – but it’s effective.
“His 14th Test wicket – and this would probably be his favourite.
“It’s a rank bumper outside off-stump, but what was he doing? What was Jamie Smith thinking?
“It was a poor shot … It’s a filthy shot.”
Star Australian keeper-batter Alyssa Healy couldn’t believe Smith had attempted the stroke.
“There is one man in the deep in front of point on the off-side and he (Smith) has picked him out,” Healy said on Kayo Sports’ live Ashes coverage.
“I know this is the way they (England) play and the way they want to approach it, but you cannot honestly tell me he’s going to walk back into that change room and be patted on the back.”
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