- Aussie star Steve Smith held onto catch of the summer
- Grassed an earlier chance off bowling of Pat Cummins
- Australia is chasing a 2-1 series lead in Brisbane
Aussie cricket star Steve Smith has savoured his moment of redemption after taking an absolute screamer in the slips to dismiss India’s KL Rahul.
It followed the veteran, 35, dropping the batter on the first ball of day four in Brisbane during the third Test on Tuesday.
His reaction to the classic grab told the story, with a fired-up Smith visibly relieved as his team chase a 2-1 series lead in the rain-affected match.
Earlier Smith was fuming after grassing the simple clash – and supporters were quick to slam him on X.
‘Could quite easily cost Australia this Test match….you shouldn’t be putting those down,’ posted one fan in response.
Another said: ‘Catches win matches.’
A third weighed in with: ‘No excuse to drop that. That’s an awful fumble.’
Meanwhile, paceman Josh Hazlewood is set to undergo scans on a sore calf, after managing just one over on the fourth morning in Brisbane before leaving the field.
Aussie cricket star Steve Smith has savoured his moment of redemption after taking an absolute screamer in the slips to dismiss India’s KL Rahul
Smith showed remarkable reflexes to hold on the edge from the bowling of Nathan Lyon (pictured right, Indian batsman KL Rahul)
Smith was elated after he earlier dropped the batter on the first ball of day four in Brisbane during the third Test (pictured, celebrating the wicket)
Paceman Josh Hazlewood is set to undergo scans on a sore calf, after managing just one over on the fourth morning of the third Test in Brisbane before leaving the field
Already having overcome a side strain in order to face India at the Gabba, Hazlewood felt soreness in his calf and left the field.
Team medical staff confirmed Hazlewood first experienced ‘awareness’ while warming up for day four, prompting him to stay off the field for the start of play.
He remained absent for two overs, before coming on and bowling just before the first drinks break.
The seamer was notably down on pace in that over, with his first delivery an uncharacteristic long-hop that KL Rahul dispatched to the point boundary.
When drinks were taken Hazlewood was in deep discussion with captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and Australia’s team physiotherapist, before leaving the field.
Cricket Australia have since confirmed he will be taken for scans to assess the issue.
Scott Boland looms as Hazlewood’s replacement if he is to miss any further Tests, after already filling in for him in Adelaide with aplomb.
Hazlewood has battled side strain issues in the past, with similar injuries largely responsible for him playing only three Tests between the end of January 2021 and start of June 2023.
The quick had bowled five overs on Monday for Australia without issue, before Tuesday’s concern.
