Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith was absolutely shocked after the DRS verdict didn’t go in his favor in the 10th match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against Temba Bavuma-led South Africa National Cricket Team at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Thursday, October 12. Smith came to bat in the middle after Australia lost early wickets. He scored 19 runs off 16 balls, with 4 fours, before getting dismissed courtesy of a controversial DRS decision.
South Africa decided to take a DRS after wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock convinced Temba Bavuma to go upstairs. On the replays, it showed that there was no connection between the bat and the ball. However, the ball-tracking showed that the ball would have hit the leg stump, and the batter was declared out LBW. Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were left shell-shocked after the decision and even the on-field umpire Joel Wilson looked surprised as he raised his finger.
Glenn Maxwell had a brilliant day with the ball as he gave away just 34 runs in his 10 overs and bagged two wickets. During the mid-innings break, Maxwell said that he is enjoying the role of specialist spinner in the team. He said, “It happened in little different flows – felt like they were well ahead, felt they were on track for about 350+, the last 15-odd overs we dragged it back really well.”
WATCH – Australia Drop Six Catches In Sloppy Fielding Display Against South Africa
He further added, “Got wickets at crucial times.. We are really proud of efforts in the back end. (On his bowling) There was a little bit of help out there, bigger boundaries as well, just tried to hit them to the longer boundary as much as possible. It’s been enjoyable to have a bit more bowling role.”
Batting first, South Africa posted 311 for 7 on the board after all the batters chipped in with crucial runs. Quinton de Kock top scored for his side as he hit his second consecutive ton of the ICC World Cup 2023 and Aiden Markram smashed a brilliant fifty.
WATCH – Quinton de Kock Gets Bowled While Attempting Reverse-Pull
Australia’s sloppy fielding display in the match was also a major factor in their defeat. They dropped as many as six catches, which allowed South Africa to post a big total on the board. Australia will need to tighten up their fielding and batting if they want to challenge the top teams in the World Cup.
