Steve Smith yet again produced a fine knock, scoring a solid 80 -- his lowest total of a sensational Ashes series -- in Australia's first innings of the fifth and final Test at the Oval. Steve Smith has now amassed 751 runs, a sizeable chunk of the team's overall tally of 2,508 runs over the entire series even though he has missed three of the nine innings after being hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer. England have done all they can to get rid of the Australian early but to no avail. On Friday, Jonny Bairstow gave Steve Smith a mighty scare when the Australian was scampering for a run.
Bairstow positioned himself as if he was about to collect the ball, resulting in Steve Smith diving full length to get back into the crease. The ball, however, was no where near the English keeper and the former Australian skipper admitted later that he had been done in by Bairstow.
After the day's play, Smith was asked about the incident.
"He got me there, didn't he? Dirtied my clothes. He didn't say anything, I don't think but he got me. I didn't know where the ball was. Bloody thing. Faked it. He got me. I don't know what else to say," said Steve Smith.
Australian cricketer Andrew Tye, as well as some fans were quick to point out that England should have been penalised as per the new laws against mock fielding.
According to the MCC's new Law 41.5: "it is unfair for any fielder willfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball."
The umpires have the discretion to award five penalty runs if they determine that such deception is wilful.