Bairstow aims cheeky parting shot at Smith after Aussie batsman gets out cheaply

07 July 2023 , 18:08

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Bairstow aims cheeky parting shot at Smith after Aussie batsman gets out cheaply

Jonny Bairstow had some fun at Steve Smith's expense as the Australia batsman fell early in his country's second innings during Friday's third Ashes test.

Former Aussie captain Smith made just 22 in the first innings, but things got even worse in the second. He had just two runs to his name when he was caught by Ben Duckett off the bowling of Moeen Ali, and England wicketkeeper Bairstow appeared to enjoy the moment.

Bairstow himself had been caught by Smith for 12 during the morning session as England made a slow start. Whether this played into his response to Smith's dismissal is unclear, but the stump mics picked up the back-and-forth.

"See ya Smudge!" Bairstow said as Smith hung his head. The Australian didn't take it lying down, raising his voice to his opponent and saying "What was that mate? Hey!"

"I said cheers, see ya later,” was Bairstow's reply. With opener David Warner also falling cheaply, the wicket kept England's hopes alive in the third test.

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Yorkshire's Bairstow, playing on his home ground, claimed the catch to send Smith packing in the first innings. He also helped dismiss the in-form Usman Khawaja second time around, as he looked to make up for his own disappointing dismissal at Lord's in the second test.

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Bairstow's exchange with Smith was picked up by the stump mics (Sky Sports)

Bairstow lost his wicket in controversial circumstances in the Lord's test. He had strayed out of his crease, seemingly under the assumption that the ball was dead, only for opposite number Alex Carey to hit the stumps and leave England in trouble.

A number of current and former players gave their verdicts on the incident, with some feeling the wicket - while correctly given by the letter of the law - was not in the spirit of the game. Many of those to voice concern were English. but former Aussie bowler Brad Hogg also took England's side.

“Bairstow wicket, Not Out," Hogg said. "Spirit of cricket pushed to the boundary. Not attempting a run, end of over, scratched crease then walked for the regulation BS chat between overs between batsman."

Captain Ben Stokes tried in vain to bring England back into contention, hitting 155, but in the end the hosts fell short. It was also Stokes who salvaged England's first innings at Headingley in a must-win test, top-scoring with 80 as his team was dismissed for 237.

The wicket of Khawaja saw Australia reduced to 90-4 as they looked to set a target for England to chase down, and they finished on 116/4 at stumps. The tourists had found themselves in a similar position in the first innings, only for Mitch Marsh to revive them with an impressive century.

Tom Victor