The Boxing Day Test between Australia and New Zealand faced an issue just as the teams were headed back to the pavilion for lunch.
The Boxing Day Test between Australia and New Zealand faced an issue just as the teams were headed back to the pavilion for lunch.
Steve Smith was involved in a heated exchange with umpire Nigel Llong as the two debated over the interpretation of the dead-ball rule that led to Australia being denied runs.
Australia were twice denied leg byes in the over before lunch when Smith was struck on the body by New Zealand paceman Neil Wagner, before taking off for a run.
In both instances, the Australian batsman faced a short ball from the left-arm quick which struck him high on the body before trickling behind the wicket.
Under cricket's laws, “If a ball delivered by the bowler strikes the person of the striker, runs shall be scored only if the umpire is satisfied that the striker has either attempted to play the ball with the bat or tried to avoid being hit by the ball”.
And umpire Llong on both occasions ruled that Smith had left the ball and let it strike him rather than "try and avoid being hit".
However, according to Smith, he did not attempt to play a cricket shot, he argued that he took action to evade the balls.
As soon as the teams were called for lunch, Smith and Llong had an animated discussion for several seconds before walking off the ground.
"He's saying 'mate, I'm trying to get out of the way'," former Test captain Ricky Ponting told Channel 7.
"You can see he's frustrated, Steve Smith."
Shane Warne sided with Smith and told Fox Cricket that a lawbook should’ve been sent to the umpires’ dressing room at lunch.
This action by Smith could lead to him being slapped with a second code of conduct breach in as many months.
He was earlier fined 25 per cent of his match fee after showing dissent after he was dubiously given out caught behind in a Sheffield Shield match in November.
Smith helped Australia to 257-4 on Day 1 as he went to stumps unbeaten on 77 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). As for the Black Caps fans, they are rejoicing and enjoying their team’s first Boxing Day Test in 32 years.
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 "Steve Smith and umpire Nigel Llong involved in a heated exchange")
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