Australia's vice-captain Steve Smith is known for his character on the field. During the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India in Melbourne, Smith hailed a special delivery from fast bowler Akash Deep that hit him on the box.
It happened in the latter stages of the day during the 83rd over of Australia's innings on Day 1. The last ball of the over was a short length delivery into the stumps. The ball headed after the pitch and bounced past Smith's outside edge as he played inside the line.
It hit him right in the groin and Steve Smith exulted in pain. Despite being hit in the box, Smith hailed Akash Deep, who was caught on the stick mic. “It's a beautiful ball,” Smith said after being hit in the groin.
Clock: Ravindra Jadeja turns left-handed Jasprit Bumrah during the MCG Test
Steve Smith hails Akash Deep's special ball after being hit in the box
Special comments from Steve Smith after being hit in a certain area 🫣#AUSWIN pic.twitter.com/RcNRVKHrFH
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2024
It was not the first time a batsman was hit in the box during the day. Marnus Labuschagne was also hit in that area earlier in the day. Overall, it was a good ground that had something for drinkers and bowlers alike.
Fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep got good bounce and troubled the batsmen in certain spells. Not only the fast bowlers but the pitch had some help for the spinners as well. India's Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar found some return when they bowled.
Akash Deep played well with no luck
Meanwhile, Akash Deep toiled hard all day without much luck. The fast bowler bowled tight throughout the day and showed why he is made for Test cricket. He took 1-59 in 19 overs on Day 1 and will aim to add more wickets to his tally on Day 2.
Akash continued to bowl consistently and kept the pressure on the Australian batsmen with his tight lines and lengths. He was eventually rewarded with the wicket of Alex Carey later in the day. Carey was dismissed by Akash Deep off the first delivery of the second new ball, which took the batsman's outside edge to Rishabh Pant.
Steve Smith shines with the bat
Steve Smith, on the other hand, was brilliant throughout the day and scored an excellent 68 off 111 balls. Smith remained unbeaten till the end and carries Australia's hopes of heading for a big score.
Despite being beaten on some occasions, the experienced Aussie batsman made sure to grind it out and take his team to a good position. Apart from him, Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne are the only other batsmen to score half-centuries on the first day.
All of Australia's top four batsmen hit fifties, but there was no contribution from the lower middle order apart from a brief counter-attack from wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey, who scored 31 off 41 balls.