Photo: Twitter, @CricketAus
New Delhi: Australia captain Steve Smith, who scored an unbeaten 110 to lead Australia to a commanding position at stumps on Day 1 rode his luck not once but twice against Pakistan at Brisbane.
Smith edged a Mohammad Amir delivery when he was on 97 but surprisingly none of the Pakistani players went up in appeal and nor did they ask for the review. The replays clearly showed a big deflection but Smith survived and went on to score his 16th Test century.
His teammate and opening batsman Mathew Renshaw, who scored a solid 71, revealed that he was certain Smith had edged that ball.
“I watched the replay and thought it’s really very close, maybe they (Pakistan) should check hotspot. I was a bit surprised that no one went up, then Davey(David Warner) came out and said he smacked it,” said Renshaw at the post match press conference.
Smith, himself knew he had edged that ball but decided not to walk.
“He (Smith) walked into the dressing room after the close of play and said he had smashed it (ball),” Renshaw added while chuckling.
Smith got his first life of the day when he was dropped on 53 by Pakistan wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed off Azhar Ali. Australia ended Day 1 on a comfortable 288/3 with a well settled Smith (110) and Handscomb (64) at the crease.