Former England captain Joe Root has backed Jamie Smith after criticizing the wicketkeeper-batsman for his poor dismissal late on the second day of the New Year Ashes Test at the SCG (Monday, January 5). Root said it is easy to be overly critical of individual moments and said mistakes are part of the game.
Smith got off to a bad start with a poor performance in the first innings. After scoring 46, he tried to hit a harmless bouncer from part-time bowler Marnus Labuschagne. However, he sent the ball straight to the lone fielder in front of square on the off-side, leaving commentators and experts perplexed.
Jamie Smith’s dismissal led to England’s collapse at SCG
England lost control at a crucial moment on the second day at the SCG, with Jamie Smith’s dismissal proving to be the turning point. The visitors were in a good position at 323 for 5, with Joe Root batting confidently on 129.
Smith fell victim to a poor shot against part-time bowler Marnus Labuschagne, backing up to a short ball and hitting it straight to deep cover despite a loaded boundary. The soft dismissal stunned observers and immediately changed momentum.
That moment marked the beginning of the collapse, as England lost five wickets for just 61 runs and failed to cross the 400-run mark. Australia captured the opening, and England were eventually bowled out for 384. Smith has scored only one half-century in the series so far, scoring 60 in Adelaide.
It’s very easy to over-analyze some 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 focusing on one moment. Root said that no one is more disappointed than a batsman who is out.
Root responded, “It’s very easy to over-analyze certain dismissals, but sometimes you make a mistake, and you have to learn from it and make sure you don’t make the same mistake again.”
“Whenever someone loses a wicket, you get disappointed, but there’s no one more disappointed than the guy who lost his wicket. He’s been working incredibly hard. There are times when you have to handle the pressure and understand when to take it back, but I think that was an opportunity, and I support him 100 percent to take that option again.”
You’re always trying to read the game – Joe Root
Joe Root said that batting is all about reading the situation rather than forcing the pace. He said players should trust their own judgment and support teammates who have the proven ability to make the right decisions.
“I think you are always trying to read the game and play what is in front of you. It is not about suddenly deciding to score 15 runs per over. You see an opportunity and back yourself to take the right decision. When you are batting with someone who averages over 40 and has just made his international debut, you back him 100 per cent.”
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