‘It was silly and not cheating’ – Michael Vaughan and Mark Waugh engage in a hilarious banter over Steve Smith’s scuffing saga

Steve Smith, the Australian cricketer, became the Player of the Match in the third Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The 31-year-old notched a century and backed it up with a knock of 81 in the second innings. He didn’t perform in the first two Tests in Adelaide and Melbourne and was deemed out of form. However, he, well and truly, made amends in the Sydney Test.

Nevertheless, amidst some stupendous performance with the bat, Smith also got himself tangled in controversy. During the fifth day’s play, he was seen, scuffing the pitch at the striker’s end and shadow batting as well. Thereafter, Rishabh Pant was seen, taking fresh guard. Smith was a recipient of severe backlash from the public as well as some of the experts.

However, Tim Paine, the Aussie Test skipper, and Justin Langer, the Australian head coach, had Smith’s back, saying that the latter didn’t do any wrong. The duo said that ‘marking the pitch’ is something Smith does on a frequent basis, both at the international and domestic level. Smith was also said to be upset with all the talks around him.

Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, lamented the issue. He commented on the video, terming Smith’s actions as ‘very very poor’. Vaughan had captioned the video and wrote, “This is very very poor from Steve smith !!,”

In the meantime, Mark Waugh, the former Australian cricketer, had a message for Vaughan. The veteran Aussies stated that he would be more concerned about deliberate time-wasting by the cricketers.

He replied to Vaughan and wrote, “You’ve lost your marbles Vaughney. I’d be more worried about deliberate time wasting in the modern game.”

Here’s Waugh’s reply

Thereafter, Vaughan also clarified himself, saying that Smith didn’t cheat, rather he was being silly, He is also looking forward to see if Smith takes the same route in the Brisbane Test.

“Are you struggling to read Junior … as I have clearly stated it was silly & not cheating but the laws are the laws … btw let’s see if he continues to do it in Brisbane if he does it all the time :.. #OnOn,”

Here’s Vaughan’s reply