Steve Smith was enraged at Usman Khawaja after the end of the first test against Sri Lanka. Image: Fox Cricket
Steve Smith was left absolutely dirty with Usman Khawaja at the end of the opening day of the first test against Sri Lanka after a calamitous confusion saw the Australian star run out.
In a chaotic final hour in Galle, Australia lost three ports to go to the strains with a 3-98 after firing Sri Lanka by just 212.
BONISTIC: Sri Lankan gesture for Shane Warne before rehearsals
“HORROR”: Creepy detail in the photo of Australian stars in Sri Lanka
David Warner was trapped on lbw for 25 by Ramesh Mendis, Marnus Labuschagne swept the spinner upside down directly into the ravine and Smith was visibly furious after it was over.
Smith was six when he was hit on the pads and the ball bounced off the vacant side.
After initially shouting “no”, the former Australian captain gestured to Khawaja to make a single, to which Khawaja appeared to say “yes”.
However, Smith stood tall and dry when Khawaja changed his mind and sent him back, with the star hitter exhausted by a mile.
Steve Smith reacts after finishing in the first test between Australia and Sri Lanka. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe / Getty Images)
After a desperate dive in an attempt to make the ground, Smith jumped up and gestured immediately with his batsman.
A clearly furious Smith was seen raising his arms towards Khawaja before shaking his furious head as he stepped off the ground.
Cricket fans were left in disbelief at the disastrous confusion, while many questioned Smith’s reaction when he introduced Khawaja in midfield.
Nathan Lyon passes to Richard Hadlee with five ports
Earlier, Nathan Lyon joined the elite company with his 20th five-port pitch in test cricket.
The Australian spinner claimed figures from 5 to 90 to help out in Sri Lanka just after tea on the opening day of the two-test series.
On the same day, Sri Lanka paid tribute to Shane Warne, leg spinner Mitchell Swepson also claimed his selection with a fine of 3-55 and at one point grabbed two ports on successive balls.
But on Wednesday he belonged to Lyon, who joined Clarrie Grimmett, Dennis Lillee, Glenn McGrath and Warne as the only Australians to claim 20 five-port runs.
The story goes on
He also surpassed the great New Zealander Richard Hadlee and now ranks 12th on the all-time list of Wicket players for test cricket with 432 scalp.
Lyon, mocked for their inability to take the lead with their turn in the 2016 series against Sri Lanka, Lyon failed to get a five-port shot in that 3-0 flogging.
Nathan Lyon celebrates after taking the port of Ramesh Mendis in the first test between Australia and Sri Lanka. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP via Getty Images)
Since then, he has talked about the lessons learned from this, including realizing that he needed to learn to play ugly on the subcontinent with more variations on his release point.
“I’ve learned a lot of my time in the subcontinent, but also in Australia on how to take breaks and what’s effective,” Lyon said.
“That ugly bowling phrase is something I refer to myself to make sure I use my variations and bowl at the right speeds.
“I’ve fallen in love with the shape of bowling out of rest in Australia, and getting to the subcontinent is something I have to do to make sure I’m making the most of myself.”
He claimed Dimuth Karunaratne’s key port for 28 just after lunch Wednesday, drawing its inner edge before Warner jumped forward to grab a one-handed catch.
Angelo Mathews became Lyon’s next victim when he slid him straight at Warner for sliding his legs, before the offside shooter ended up with a Dickwella rearguard action (58) to pass the tail to beginnings of the final session.
“I was very proud of the way we came back after tea and followed our plans,” Lyon said.
“I see this game is pretty evenly matched, so there’s a lot of work to be done.”
with AAP
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