Australia found themselves rattled by West Indies in the first session at the Gabba on Thursday, tumbling from 60/2 to 187/8 while chasing 216, courtesy of Shamar Joseph’s remarkable six-wicket haul.
Despite the collapse, Steve Smith held his ground, surpassing his overnight score of 33 to reach 80. However, the Windies were on the verge of an unprecedented victory as Nathan Lyon fell to Alzarri Joseph immediately after dinner, leaving Australia with just one wicket remaining.
With the game hanging in the balance and a chance for a historic win, Steve Smith defied conventional wisdom in a remarkable manner.
Needing 20 runs to win, the Australian cricket legend preemptively knelt down on one knee, scooping a delivery angling across the stumps over the wicket-keeper’s head and into the stands for a massive six.
The ramp for six from Steve Smith, unbelievable 😮 #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/yzQvYyJUzN
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 28, 2024
While such a daring shot could have invited criticism and tarnished Smith’s reputation if it had gone awry, Twitterati showered praise on this display of unwavering confidence from the 34-year-old, who has amassed nearly 10,000 Test runs.