Former England skipper Joe Root has backed Jamie Smith after the wicketkeeper-batter came under fire for his poor dismissal late on Day 2 (Monday, January 5) of the New Year’s Ashes Test at the SCG. Root said that it is easy to be overly critical of individual moments and added that mistakes are part of the game.
Smith threw away his start with a poor dismissal in the first innings. After scoring 46, he tried to smash a harmless bouncer from part-time bowler Marnus Labuschagne. However, he chipped the ball straight to the only fielder in front of square on the off-side, leaving commentators and experts stunned.
Jamie Smith’s Dismissal Triggers England Collapse at SCG
England let control slip at a crucial moment on day two at the SCG, with Jamie Smith’s dismissal proving to be the turning point. The visitors were well placed at 323 for 5, with Joe Root batting confidently on 129.
Smith fell to a poor shot against part-time bowler Marnus Labuschagne, backing away to a short ball and hitting it straight to deep cover despite a packed boundary. The soft dismissal stunned observers and immediately shifted the momentum.
That moment triggered a collapse, as England lost five wickets for just 61 runs and failed to push past 400. Australia seized the opening, and England were eventually bowled out for 384. Smith has managed only one half-century in the series so far, scoring 60 in Adelaide.
It’s Very Easy To Over-Analyse Certain Dismissals – Joe Root On Jamie Smith
Joe Root defended Jamie Smith, saying individual dismissals are often judged too harshly. He explained that mistakes are part of the game and players learn from them rather than dwell on one moment. Root added that no one feels the disappointment more than the batter who gets out.
“It’s very easy to over-analyse certain dismissals, but sometimes you just make a mistake, and you have to learn from it and make sure you don’t make the same mistake again,” Root responded.
“Whenever someone loses a wicket, you’d be frustrated, but there’s no one more frustrated than the guy who’s lost his wicket. He’s working incredibly hard. There are times when you have to absorb pressure and understand when to put it back on, but I think that was an opportunity, and I back him 100 per cent to take that option again.”
You’re Always Trying to Read the Game – Joe Root
Joe Root said that batting is about reading the situation rather than forcing the pace. He stated that players should trust their judgment and back teammates who have proven ability to make the right calls.
“I think you’re always trying to read the game and play what’s in front of you. It’s not about deciding to suddenly score at 15 an over. You see an opportunity and back yourself to make the right decisions. When you’re batting with someone who averages over 40 and has had the start he’s had to his international career, you back him 100 per cent.”
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