Watch: Steve Smith clipped Moeen Ali straight to short midwicket to gift the off-spinner a 200th Test wicket in a profitable session for England’s bowlers on the second evening of the third Ashes Test at Headingley today (July 7).
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Shortly after Marnus Labuschagne had holed out off Moeen, the slow bowler struck again, this time removing Australia’s No.4. Having made just two, he attempted to break the shackles but only succeeded in offering Ben Duckett a simple, knee-high chance.
“What have you done, Steve Smith?” asked Ian Ward on England commentary. “He has gifted that to England.”
The dismissal left Australia 72-3, which became 90-4 when Chris Woakes nicked off Usman Khawaja soon after. The wicket was Moeen’s 200th in Tests. Called out of retirement for this series, he is just 28 runs away from becoming the 16th bowler to complete the double of 3,000 runs and 200 wickets in Test cricket, a list that is stacked full of the game’s great all-rounders.
There was also a flashpoint as Smith walked off, with the Australian turning around in response to a chirp from England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.
Watch Steve Smith clip Moeen Ali to midwicket below:
"What have you done Steve Smith!?" 😅 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ziSFqkRjwb
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 7, 2023
