Steve Smith endures a painful knock in the box, still praises Akash Deep’s delivery

Australia vice-captain Steve Smith is known for his character on the field. During the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India in Melbourne, Smith hailed a special delivery from the fast bowler Akash Deep that hit him in the box.

It happened in the latter stages of the day during the 83rd over of Australia’s innings on Day 1. The last ball of the over was a short climbing delivery on the stumps. The ball straightened after pitch and bounced past Smith’s outside edge as he played inside the line.

It hit him right in the groin area and Steve Smith exulted in pain. Despite being hit in the box, Smith waved to Akash Deep, who was caught on the stump mic. “It’s a beautiful ball,” Smith said after being hit in the groin area.

See: Ravindra Jadeja spins left Jasprit Bumrah during the MCG Test

Steve Smith salutes Akash Deep’s special ball after being hit in the box

Special comments from Steve Smith after being hit in a certain area 🫣#AuSvmeNd pic.twitter.corm/RcNRvKHrFH

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) december 26, 2024

It wasn’t the first time a batter had been hit in the box on the day. Marnus Labuschagne was also affected in that area earlier in the day. Overall, it was a good pitch that had something for both batsmen and bowlers.

Fast bowling games jasprit bumrah and Akash Deep got a good bounce and troubled the batsmen in certain spells. Not just the fast bowlers but the pitch also got some help for the spinners. India’s Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar found some spin when they bowled.

Akash Deep played well with no luck

Meanwhile, Akash Deep worked hard throughout the day without much luck. The fast bowler bowled hard throughout the day and showed why he is made for Test cricket. He picked up 1-59 in 19 overs on Day 1 and will aim to add more wickets to his tally on Day 2.

Akash continued to bowl consistently and kept the pressure on the Australian batsmen with his tight lines and lengths. He was finally rewarded with the port of Alex Carey later in the day Carey was dismissed by Akash Deep on the first delivery of the second new ball which brought the outside edge of the batsman to Rishabh Pant.

Steve Smith shines with the bat

Steve Smith, on the other hand, was brilliant throughout the day and scored an excellent 68 off 111 balls. Smith remained unbeaten till the end and has Australia’s hopes of going on to a big score.

Despite being beaten on a few occasions, the experienced Australian batsman made sure to grind it out and take his team to a good position. Apart from him, Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne are the only other batsmen to score half-centuries on the first day.

All four of Australia’s top batsmen scored fifties, but there was no contribution from the lower middle order apart from a brief strike from wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey, who scored 31 off 41 balls.