Watch: Steve Smith was dismissed for a duck while trying to leave a ball from Scott Boland during his Sheffield Shield comeback match between New South Wales and Victoria at MCG.
After being dismissed for a 29-ball three in the first innings, Smith couldn't turn things around in the second, failing to open his account.
Smith, batting at No.3, didn’t offer a shot to an in-seaming delivery from Boland. The ball hit the batter’s pads and he was ruled out lbw for a four-ball duck. Smith’s expression suggested he was unhappy with the dismissal as he kept walking back to the pavilion while nodding in dismay.
This was Smith’s first Sheffield Shield appearance in three years, having last represented NSW in the competition in February 2021. Several other Australia Test regulars also returned to prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Having initially expressed his desire to take up the opener's position left vacant by David Warner's retirement, Smith has confirmed he will not open for Australia in the upcoming series. He managed just 171 runs in eight innings at an average of 28.50. It included six scores below 15.
His numbers at the top left a lot to be desired, with him managing only 171 runs in eight innings at 28.50, including six scores below 15.
In the match, NSW were reduced to 35-4 in pursuit of their fourth innings target of 383.
Watch Steve Smith's dismissal here:
A duck for Smith!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 22, 2024
Watch live #SheffieldShield: https://t.co/Qg3oHp6yAq pic.twitter.com/LLrskS4DND
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