On the final day of the Sydney Test, Smith was captured on the stump mic seemingly scuffing the crease during India’s second innings, an act that divided opinion on social media.

Many, including Vaughan, had responded to the clip involving Smith on Twitter; Vaughan had quoted Virender Sehwag’s tweet, commenting “This is very very poor from Steve Smith”. Later, extended footage emerged on social media that some felt absolved Smith of the allegations, and Tim Paine defended his No.4 batsman, insisting that he was “only shadow batting”.

This is very very poor from Steve smith !! https://t.co/UwUz7zrdzx

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 11, 2021

Vaughan replied to another tweet by Sky Racing analyst Brad Davidson, saying: “I am afraid it was very Poor Brad … Didn’t say it was cheating just poor when you think back through what he has been through … the proof will be if he does it again if it’s not that bad Brad … #OnOn btw … Tim Paines language was a lot worse …(sic)”

I am afraid it was very Poor Brad … Didn’t say it was cheating just poor when you think back through what he has been through … the proof will be if he does it again if it’s not that bad Brad … #OnOn btw … Tim Paines language was a lot worse … https://t.co/f8NsxO5ZYt

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 12, 2021

Speaking to SEN Radio on Wednesday, Langer hit back at Vaughan for the criticism, calling his comments “out of line”.

“I spoke to Michael Vaughan as well, I thought he was out of line actually,” Langer said. “You get it from [certain critics], but I don’t expect it from [Vaughan]. I know he makes a living out of making those sorts of comments, but I thought he was out of line.”

The Steve Smith incident has caused great debate … I saw it as a silly thing for him to be doing but i didn’t have it as cheating …the laws are above … #OnOn … What do we all think ?? @ Wilmslow https://t.co/TCMud0cxPU

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 12, 2021

“Everything [being said] about Steve Smith is absolutely ludicrous, we have a laugh that he’s a bit quirky and a bit different, he shadow bats in the shower, all he thinks about is batting. He certainly consciously wasn’t trying to do anything wrong.

“He was just standing there thinking about batting.

“He is 100 per cent innocent in this,” Langer continued, echoing Paine’s views. “He didn’t do anything on the pitch. If you know anything about cricket the wicket was like concrete, he would’ve needed 15-inch spikes to make an indent, to do what people were accusing him of doing and trying to mess up Pant’s guard.

“Give me a break. I’ve never heard so much rubbish in my life.”