Watch: Steve Smith fell to a trap set by Pakistan as he hit straight to one of the catching covers set for him on the third day (January 5) of the Australia-Pakistan Test in Sydney.

Replying to Pakistan’s 313 in the first innings, Australia were at 187-2 after 73 overs, with Steve Smith 38 (84) and Marnus Labuschagne 60 (145) looking well set for big ones.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood summoned Mir Hamza into the attack while deploying an unconventional field, initially placing two men at cover. Smith drove to one of the two catching covers on the very first ball off a good length delivery, angled wide of off.

Sensing a chance, Masood brought in three catching covers, with Babar Azam standing at short. Off the next delivery, Smith went down the wicket, covering the line of the ball and trying to loft it over the catching positions. In the process, it hit high on his bat and was intercepted by Babar, who jumped and plucked it safely. The fielding team was ecstatic seeing their ploy work. Smith returned to the pavilion after scoring 38 off 86 balls.

Australia were bundled out for 299 after Aamir Jamal 6-69 on the back of his counter-attacking 82 on the first day. The tourists began with a slender lead but cascaded to 68-7 in the blink of an eye owing to a firing Josh Hazlewood, who took 4-9 off his five overs.

Watch Pakistan set unconventional field to entrap Steve Smith

The funky field worked!

One of Pakistan’s three cover fielders hangs on to a lofted Steve Smith drive #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/KAKQjT4gS8

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2024

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