Steven Smith bowls off-spin, reacts comically after dismissing fellow Australian Michael Neser in County Championship

Steven Smith is currently playing county cricket in England to prepare himself better for the upcoming World Test Championship Final and The Ashes, both scheduled to be played in England in June and July. Playing for Sussex, he has not been living to the best of his batting potential, having scored just 123 runs in three outings, which does not replicate the amount of brilliance he has had playing for Australia in the past. 

However, in the recently concluded match against Glamorgan, he was handed the ball by skipper Cheteshwar Pujara. The game was already headed towards a draw, and hence Pujara thought to provide some relief to the mainstay bowlers. Well, Smith did not at all disappoint as he returned with figures of 2/55 in his spell. One of his wickets came in the form of his fellow Australian teammate Michael Neser. 

Neser played a spectacular innings which was crucial for drawing the game as the Kiran Carlson-led side posted a mammoth 737 in their second innings. He was batting on 123 when Smith made him his victim. What made Neser's dismissal even more interesting was the fact that Smith, who is a conventional leg-spinner, bowled an off-break to get the better of the batter. The penultimate delivery of Smith's 11^th over saw Neser looking to smash one through the covers, only to find an inner edge, ending in the ball thrashing into the middle and leg stump. 

Smudge, as he is fondly called, was himself surprised to get a wicket off a rather loosener. Smith could not believe a wicket of such a delivery and was seen scratching his head in realization of the delivery's outcome. Neser's dismissal also meant that Glamorgan lost their last wicket in the second innings, following which Sussex came out to bat in their second innings for just one over, and the game eventually ended in a draw.

Sussex Cricket@SussexCCC

Steve Smith claims the wicket of his fellow Australian Michael Neser. ☝

09:24 PM · May 21, 2023

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Scott Boland refuses county cricket to keep himself fresh ahead of The Ashes

Australia will play The Ashes post the conclusion of the World Test Championship 2023 Final. Meanwhile, Australia's ace pacer Scott Boland has turned down the offer to play county cricket for Victoria to keep himself fresh and available for the upcoming international fixtures. He also stated that he would look to prioritize the national side instead of playing county cricket.