Steve Smith is renowned for knowing exactly where his off stump is, but the Australian’s sixth sense let him down during Sunday evening’s World Cup final.
During the seventh over of Australia’s run chase at Narendra Modi Stadium, Indian seamer Jasprit Bumrah produced a slower off-cutter that beat Smith’s defences and struck him on the pads.
Umpire Richard Illingworth raised the dreaded finger, and the New South Welshman trudged off for 4 (9) after briefly consulting teammate Travis Head.
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However, Head’s advice proved to be ill-judged. Hawkeye replays suggested the ball had struck Smith outside the line of off stump, meaning he would have survived if he called for a review.
Smith typically never thinks he’s out. With the possible exception of teammate Marnus Labuschagne, no Australian cricketer has wasted more reviews than the 34-year-old. It just so happens the one time he incorrectly opted against a review was in a World Cup final.
“He’ll be regretting that,” former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik said in commentary.
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson continued: “My heart’s just broken after seeing that.”
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Australia, chasing 241 for victory and a sixth World Cup title, was reeling at 3-47 after Smith’s departure in the seventh over, leaving the middle order with a mountain to climb.
It’s been an underwhelming tournament for Smith, who was far from his best throughout the World Cup. He averaged 33.55 with the bat in ten matches, passing fifty just twice — against the Netherlands and Bangladesh.
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