Ashes 2023: Steve Smith just never looked himself – Damien Fleming

Former Australian fast bowler Damien Fleming feels Steve Smith just never looked like himself on the fourth day of the ongoing first Ashes Test match against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Smith was dismissed after scoring only six runs in the second innings by Stuart Broad with an out-swinging delivery.

Smith has a fantastic record while playing in English conditions and it was a big wicket for England just before the end of the day’s play. Furthermore, Smith could only muster 16 runs in the first innings as he was plumbed in front of the wickets by England skipper Ben Stokes.

On the other hand, Usman Khawaja has been batting at his absolute best for Australia. The left-hander scored 141 runs in the first essay and he is unbeaten on 34 runs in the second dig as Australia needs another 174 runs to chase down the target of 281 runs. In fact, the likes of David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith have failed to deliver in the first Test match.

Speaking to the SEN Cricket podcast, “We wouldn’t be in this position without Usman Khawaja, who in his renaissance as a Test opener in the last 18 months has just methodically started to tick off every little doubt or criticism of his game and he has brought a lot of serenity in what has been a nervy Australian batting lineup.”

The former Australian pacer added: “David Warner was so nervous in the first innings, I can’t remember the last time that was the case. Marnus Labuschagne was playing at deliveries he wouldn’t normally do. Steve Smith just never looked himself and Travis Head and Cameron Green were quite nervy when they started.”

On the other hand, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith were dismissed before the end of day four by Stuard Broad, who bowled a fine spell. Damien Fleming added it was a massive moment as these were two big wickets for England.

“It’s massive because a lot of the analysis leading in was how our lefties are going to go compared to 2019. Is it just going to be the same – around the wicket, wobbled seam, cross-seam and they might want to get the ball to go straight on.”

Fleming was disappointed with the performances of Smith and Labuschagne, who haven’t delivered for Australia in the first Test.

“Broad, Anderson and Robinson are very good against the left-handers. They have got Moeen Ali to spin it against left-handers. So I would have been backing either Labuschagne or Smith to score. I would have had them No. 1 and 2 to score the most runs for Australia in this Test match and they have been knocked over for less than 40.”

Australia needs 174 runs whereas England requires seven more wickets to win the opening Ashes Test.