Steve Smith was once again at the wrong end of things despite his heroics in Ashes 2019 Test series. Smith, who silenced his critics with an astonishing 671 runs in just five Test innings, was blasted by English fans for mocking Jack Leach during team Australia’s victory celebrations at the Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester. Smith, 30, appeared to have mocked England spinner Jack Leach following Australia’s 185-run victory over England in Manchester that helped the Baggy Greens retains the Ashes on foreign soil for the first time since 2001. Latest ICC Test Rankings 2019: Steve Smith Increases Lead over Virat Kohli As World No. 1 Batsman; Pat Cummins Extends Stay As Top-Ranked Bowler.
Smith has been subject to non-stop booing from England fans for master-minding the sandpaper gate scandal in Cape Town, 2018. But the world number one Test batsman has won over everyone with his impeccable performance in the field where he has smashed two fifties, three centuries and a double ton in his last five innings in Ashes 2019. Smith was even given a standing ovation by both England and Australia fans every time he has walked back to the pavilion after smashing records and encrypting history.
But the right-handed batsman once again was slammed by fans after pictures of him bespectacled and mocking Leach by imitating his batting style went viral. According to a report from The Sun, Smith was invited in the middle of the team huddle where he took out a pair of glasses and wiped them before shadow batting left-handed with the glasses on. It appeared that Smith was mocking Leach, who scored the vital one run in the third Test at Headingley that helped England draw the game and brought Ben Stokes to the crease. Stokes, England’s match-winner in that Test, hit the winning runs in the very next delivery.
Steve Smith Mocks Jack Leach During Celebrations
Steve Smith just been taking the piss out of Jack Leach by putting on glasses and shadow batting left handed in the middle of the team huddle.
— David Coverdale (@dpcoverdale) September 8, 2019
He Certainly Hasn't Learnt
Ah I see he has learned his lesson and is yet again embracing the spirit of the game in that peculiarly Aussie way... pic.twitter.com/MPAmJBEZRX
— cd (@chrdun) September 8, 2019
Fan Has a New Suggestion For Jack Leach
Here’s hoping Leach comes out with sandpaper in the next test and then breaks down in tears
— Hudson (@huds8118) September 8, 2019
You Can't Buy Class!!
Feel pity. You can't buy class.
— Mark Jordan (@MarkSJordan) September 8, 2019
Absolutely Classless!!
McGrath joined the huddle? I'm utterly shocked at the classlessness
— Jiggers (@Jiggermans) September 9, 2019
Still Cheats
They couldnt go a whole tour without reverting to type. Classless cheats.
— Nick Vale (@Nickva) September 9, 2019
Too Classy Indeed
Jack Leach mimicked his 1* when England won a classic.
Steve Smith, a cheat, celebrated by openly mocking a fellow professional.
Some people are just classier than others. https://t.co/rFuy1JYfTH
— Tom Albrighton (@tmalbrghtn) September 8, 2019
Australia are also said to have chanted “Who did we beat? England. How did we do it? Easy" to mock England during their victory celebrations. Meanwhile, Australia retained the Ashes urn after taking an unassailable 2-1 lead in Ashes 2019 with one Test remaining. Australia, who are also the defending Ashes champions, have now retained the Ashes on foreign soil for the first time in 18 years. They beat England by 251 runs in the first game and by 185 runs in the fourth Test. England had won the third Test to level the series.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 10, 2019 05:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).