Steve Smith's dismissal of Jack Leach reminded me of Michael Clarke's late spin around against India: Michael Hussey

Hailed as Mr. Cricket, Michael Hussey recalled Australia’s famous Sydney Test victory against India in 2007 after Steve Smith dismissed Jack Leach with two overs left to go in the fourth Ashes Test. England had just a few minutes to play out for a draw until Smith showed out his leg-spin potential and dismissed Leach. However, the experienced no.11 batter James Anderson saw through the last over and saved England from facing another defeat in the ongoing Ashes.

Michael Clarke, who was known for his batting exploited, created a similar kind of impact in 2007 when he was handed over the ball late on the day. With just a few more overs to be played for a draw on the final day, Clarke picked up three wickets of Harbhajan Singh, RP Singh, and Ishant Sharma in the same over to end India’s resistance and script an unbelievable victory. Hussey was part of the Australian line-up in the series and he went on to recall it in a chat with Cricbuzz.

“It had that feel about it”, reckons Mike Hussey

Hussey said that he was reminded of the Sydney Test in 2007 while watching the fourth Ashes Test and wondered if Smith could take the Aussies to yet another victory. Surprisingly, Smith started his international career as a leg spinner and his batting credentials forced the side to push him up the order.

“It actually reminded me of a few years ago when Michael Clarke came on in a Test match and took two or three late wickets against India. It had that feel about it when he got Jack Leach out. I thought, is he going to spin his magic and spin Australia to a famous victory?” Hussey told to Cricbuzz

“But England were able to hang on. All the experience of Jimmy Anderson. It was phenomenal,” he added

The visitors did have a few positives from the Sydney Test with Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow showing some batting form while opener Zak Crawley had clicked as well with a 77. The Joe Root-led side will now be looking to finish the fifth Test on a good note with all to play for the pride.