Twitter Reactions: Steve Smith records the highest score at the SCG

As Australia and New Zealand kicked off the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy with the first ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground, skipper Steve Smith won the toss and decided to bat first. New Zealand brought in pacer Lockie Ferguson known for his ability to bowl deliveries that zoom past the 150 kph mark. Australia had George Bailey and Pat Cummins making a comeback in the playing XI after quite a layoff.

The Kiwi pace battery was expected to charge in early and it did pay off as Matt Henry clean bowled Aaron Finch on just the third ball of the morning. David Warner, George Bailey and Mitchell Marsh also couldn’t do much and with Smith at one end, Australia weren’t in the best of the positions 4 down for 92 in 20.1 overs. The skipper having stayed got his eye in knew how the wicket would behave as the game progressed more than anyone given it’s his home ground.

He took his time and after getting to his half century with some caution and favor of luck being dropped started to get going with in his inning. Smith shifted gears in the middle overs and really started to accumulate runs. Before New Zealand could realize he formed a couple of good partnerships with Travis Head and Matthew Wade who also contribute with 52 and 38 in the middle order.

The under-fire skipper soon got to his century and was quite a relief also because it pushed Australia towards a good first inning total. He carried on after the hundred and made it a big one. As the death overs approached he started to play the unorthodox shots as well and by 47th over, Smith overhauled AB de Villiers’ record of 162 as the highest individual score at the SCG.

He mistimed a flick and the ball lobbed in the air towards mid-wicket where Colin Munro made his way from square leg to finally grab the ball and end Steve Smith’s vigil at the crease. He scored 164 runs with 11 boundaries and one six. His knock helped Australia post 324/8 batting first, will be interesting to see how the Kiwis approach this chase.

Here is how Twitter appreciated Steve Smith’s knock:

https://twitter.com/giveawaybrazz/status/805301704216428544