Classic catch! Steve Smith snares a SCREAMER in Brisbane to dismiss India’s KL Rahul – after earlier dropping an absolute sitter
- Australian star Steve Smith retained the catch of the summer
- Grass an earlier chance to bowl from Pat Cummins
- Australia is chasing a 2-1 lead in the series in Brisbane
Australian cricket star Steve Smith has enjoyed his moment of redemption after taking an absolute screamer in the slips to dismiss India’s KL Rahul.
It followed the veteran, 35, dropping the batsman on the first ball of day four in Brisbane during the third Test on Tuesday.
His reaction to the classic grab told the story, with an excited Smith visibly relieved as his team chased a 2-1 lead in the rain-affected match.
Earlier, Smith was furious after dealing with the simple collision – and supporters were quick to criticize him on X.
“It could very easily cost Australia this Test match… you shouldn’t put that down,” one fan responded.
Another said: ‘Catches win games.’
A third weighed in: ‘No excuse for dropping that. That’s a terrible fumble.”
Meanwhile, paceman Josh Hazlewood will undergo a sore calf after having just one scan before leaving the field on the fourth morning in Brisbane.
Australian cricket star Steve Smith has enjoyed his moment of redemption after taking an absolute screamer in the slip to dismiss India’s KL Rahul
Smith showed remarkable reflexes to hold the edge off Nathan Lyon’s bowling (pictured right, Indian batsman KL Rahul)
Smith was delighted after earlier dropping the bat on the first ball of day four in Brisbane during the third Test (pictured, courtesy of the wicket)
Paceman Josh Hazlewood will undergo a scan on a sore calf after having just one before leaving the field on the fourth morning of the third test in Brisbane
Having already overcome a side strain to face India at the Gabba, Hazlewood felt pain in his calf and left the field.
The team’s medical staff confirmed that Hazlewood first experienced “consciousness” during the warm-up for day four, prompting him to stay off the field at the start of the game.
He remained absent for two overs before coming into bat and bowling just before the first drinks break.
The seamer was remarkably on pace at the time, with his first delivery an uncharacteristic long hop that sent KL Rahul towards the point boundary.
As drinks were consumed, Hazlewood was in deep discussion with captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and the Australian team physiotherapist before leaving the field.
Cricket Australia has since confirmed he will be taken for scans to assess the problem.
Scott Boland looms as Hazlewood’s replacement if he misses any more tests, having already replaced him with aplomb in Adelaide.
Hazlewood has suffered from side strain problems in the past, with similar injuries largely preventing him from playing just three Tests between late January 2021 and early June 2023.
The Quick had bowled five overs for Australia without any problems on Monday, before Tuesday’s concerns.