Ashes 2023

Watch: Steve Smith risks injury, crashes into advertising hoardings attempting to prevent four | Ashes 2023

by Wisden Staff July 29, 2023 - 6:22pm 2 minute read

Watch: Steve Smith flew into the advertising hoardings on the square leg boundary and nearly got himself injured in an attempt to save a boundary off a Moeen Ali pull shot on day three of the fifth Ashes Test at the Kia Oval today (July 29).

England started the third day 12 runs behind Australia’s first-innings total. By tea, they had amassed a lead of 253 with six wickets still in hand.

Zak Crawley continued his good form in the series with a 76-ball 73. Ben Stokes came at No.3 as Moeen Ali was not allowed to since he had not taken the field in the first innings, and scored 42 off 67 balls. Ben Duckett scored 42 as well, while Joe Root missed out on a century as he was dismissed for 91 off 106 balls.

Jonny Bairstow and Moeen then cashed in in the second half of the innings. Bairstow scored 78 and Moeen 29 to take England’s well beyond 350.

The Australian fast bowlers peppered Moeen with bouncers, but Moeen took them on gleefully. One of those, off Mitchell Starc in the 75th over, saw Smith almost get himself injured on the square leg boundary.

Moeen pulled a chest-high short ball behind square between the two fielders in the deep. Smith ran towards his left and jumped beyond the boundary cushions in an attempt to palm the ball back into the playing area before it touched the ground.

However, the ball went past Smith, who crashed into the advertisement hoardings violently. For a moment it seemed a serious injury as he lay on the ground. Thankfully for the Australian team and fans, he was soon back up on his feet.

England eventually ended Day three on 389-9, with a lead of 377. With two days to go, the fifth Test match is poised to provide a fitting finale to what has been a brilliant Ashes series.