Picture Credit: Twitter
While Australian batter Steve Smith went unsold in the IPL auction, he displayed his top-notch fielding efforts during the 2nd T20I between Australia and Sri Lanka. Defending the total of 164, Australia was leading by 11-runs with 3-balls remaining, Steve Smith leapt into the night sky in an attempt to save Maheesh Theekshana's shot which was heading for maximum at deep mid-wicket.
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The 32-year old sent the ball back across the boundary in mid-air but eventually, his head hit the turf as he landed on the ground. He was immediately taken away by the medical staff. Things eventually didn't go Smith's favour as Smith was ruled to have jumped while touching the boundary which meant he did not save the six. However, a ball later Dushmantha Chameera's four sent the match to a super over, where Australia emerged victorious thanks to Josh Hazlewood's exploits with the ball. Smith's superhuman attempt provoked a lot of reactions from Twitter users where few termed him a complete freak.
Watch Steve Smith's superb effort here:
Reportedly, Steve Smith was found talking to his teammates in the dressing room and medical staff. But, Smith has a long history of sustaining injuries. Smith suffered a concussion after his head hit the ground while attempting to save the six. He will be subject to low level protocols for the next few days and will need 6-7 days for full recovery. He is likely to miss the remainder of the T20I matches.
Earlier, Sri Lanka's innings suffered some early jolts in the form of Danushka Gunathilaka (0 of 1), Avishka Fernando (5 of 6), Charith Asalanka (5 0f 5), but opener Pathum Nissanka (73 of 53) played vital innings in the match. He held the game from one end while witnessing massive batting collapse at other end. Joined by Dinesh Chandimal, the duo steadied the ship for a while, but before they could do something magical for the team, the latter was dismissed by Adam Zampa. Dasun Shanaka (34 off 19), skipper of Sri Lanka, took the match away from Australia as he, along with Pathum Nissanka, played some cracking shots all around the park, leaving Australian bowlers clueless.
Later, SL needed 19-runs in the last over of the match, having D Chameera and M Theekshana on the crease. Despite hitting a few maximums, visitors could not cross the winning line and hence, the match reached to super overs. Australia had posted a total of 164 in 20 overs. Ben McDermott (18 of 15), Aaron Finch (25 of 20), Josh Inglis (48 off 32), and Mathew Wade (13 of 4) made vital contributions in the 1st innings.