Mathew Hayden bashes Australian star cricketer for dropping catches at slips in Nagpur Test
Former Australian batter Mathew Hayden was livid with Steve Smith’s fielding display on day 2 at Nagpur. Smith shelled catches of Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. If he would have taken Ravindra Jadeja’s catch, Australia would have got a chance to stem India’s lead in the first innings.
Jadeja’s catch on the second last ball of the day was a big opportunity for Australia. The ball came at a good height for Smith, but he was slow to react and because of his late reflexes, he dropped the catch. The ball ended up hitting his arm and then hit the ground. Smith scored 37 off 107 balls with seven fours in the first innings.
Steve Smith feels the ball will not come to him – Mark Waugh
“What a nightmare this is for a slips fieldsman,” former Australian batter Matthew Hayden said on-air. “Sort of remained unsighted there. Should have made a better effort than that. Concentration factor – second last ball of the day. Bang. Gotta be on!” Hayden said at the end of day’s play. Mathew Hayden said in an upset tone on air on commentary. Smith had also put down Rohit’s catch which was a fairly difficult chance.
“It’s like he doesn’t think the ball will come to him, looks away from the game. You have got to read the play. You have got to pretend you are actually batting when you are fielding at first slip to the spinners.” Mark Waugh said and put out his thoughts which were on the same vein. Smith has been a fantastic catcher for Australia and a wonderful fielder for the Kangaroos over the years.
“Absolutely, he wasn’t bending low. I don’t think he was expecting the catch to come there.”He further added, “The back isn’t bent and the catch came towards the knee. So that can make the difference. Yes, it’s been a long day. It’s been a tiring day, but the last couple of deliveries is where your concentration is most tested. Tough day for Steve Smith, he’ll feel it. he’s a good catcher.” Sunil Gavaskar.
