Steve Smith SLAMMED for ‘shocking’ LBW review as Aussies collapse to stunning innings defeat

Steve Smith had a day to forget as Australia collapsed to an innings defeat against Sri Lanka after burning their reviews through some questionable decision-making.

The tourists were bowled out for 151 in the second innings, still 39 short of making Sri Lanka bat again after the hosts amassed a mammoth 554 total in their first knock in reply to Australia’s 364 as Dinesh Chandimal carried his bat for a career-best 206. 

Trailing by 190, David Warner and Usman Khawaja put together 49 runs before Ramesh Mendis trapped the former LBW to break the opening partnership just before tea.

Smith arrived at the crease with Australia 2-59 but his vigil was short-lived, with the former Aussie captain facing just three balls before falling LBW to Prabath Jayasuriya, who had earlier removed Khawaja.

The first innings centurion appeared to be plumb, but inexplicably reviewed the decision only for the DRS to show three reds and confirm Kumar Dharmasena’s on-field verdict.

Smith’s decision to review was roundly criticised on social media. 

Peter Lalor of The Australian called it ‘one of the worst reviews you’ll ever see’, while The Daily Telegraph sports editor James Silver described it as ‘shocking’. 

Peter Lalor of The Australian called Smith’s review ‘one of the worst reviews you’ll ever see’

The review elicited comparisons with Shane Watson’s infamous track record 

Smith appeared absolutely plumb after being trapped in front of the stumps 

Smith’s ill-advised review also elicit comparisons with Shane Watson, who made a habit of referring LBW decisions upstairs to no avail.

Smith wasn’t the only Australian to call for a questionable review on Monday, with Warner also opting to refer the decision to third umpire after being trapped by Mendis.

As it was the case for Smith, the DRS returned a verdict showing three reds for the Aussie opener.

Marnus Labuschagne top scored for Australia with 32 in the second innings but, like Smith, fell LBW to Jayasuriya. Meanwhile, Cameron Green and Alex Carey also soaked up some time, finishing on 23 and 16 not out respectively.

Prabath Jayasuriya took 6-59 in his second innings and was named Man of the Match 

Jayasuriya finished with 12 wickets, the best-ever figure for a Sri Lankan on their Test debut

Jayasuriya was named Man of the Match after taking 6-59 in the second innings to go with his first innings figures of 6-118 in the first innings, the best return for a Sri Lankan making his Test debut.

‘I’m really happy with my performance, I’ve worked really hard over the past few days and this is the result,’ he said after the game.

‘I played in some A team games, and I was ready to give 100 percent for the side whenever I was called upon.’  

Earlier, Chandimal and Mendis added 68 runs as Sri Lanka resumed on 6-431, before Mitchell Starc trapped the latter.

Dinesh Chandimal finished with a career-best 206 not out in the second innings

He set a new record score for a Sri Lankan batter in Test matches against Australia  

After scoring his 13th Test ton on Sunday, Chandimal set about rewriting the record books as he blitzed past his previous career-high of 164 and set a new high score for a Sri Lankan batter against Australia when he reached 193, surpassing Kumar Sangakkara’s previous benchmark of 192.

Nine wickets down with 505 runs on the board, Sri Lanka stepped on the accelerator with Chandimal scoring 43 off just 18 deliveries as his team set their new high score in a Test against Australia, surpassing their previous benchmark of 547 that had stood since 1992.

Incredibly, Sri Lanka’s assault came a week after they lost the first Test in a little over two days and had three players ruled out with COVID-19.

For all the steps Australia had appeared to make in Asia in that first Test win and March’s victory in Pakistan, this was was a return to darker times.

David Warner fell LBW for 24 to Ramesh Mendis and unsuccessfully reviewed the decision

The Australian opener is still searching for a first Test ton since January 2020

Marnus Labuschagne top scored for Australia in the second innings with 32 

They had two separate collapses of 4-25 and 3-5, including the dismissals of Khawaja and Smith in the space of four balls to Jayasuriya.

Big question marks now loom ahead of next February’s four-Test tour of India.

Travis Head was caught on the crease as a delivery spun past his bat and took the top of off stump for the second time in this Test. The left-hander’s scores on this tour now read six, 12 and five. And with a career average of 21.3 in Asia, it’s questionable if he can be taken to India.

Australia’s bowlers were also unable to build the same pressure as the hosts on a far better batting wicket than in the first Test.

Mitchell Starc was one of the few bright notes for Australia, taking 4-89 in the second innings

Mitchell Starc was the one major exception with 4-89, while Mitchell Swepson showed signs of improvement in his 3-103.

Nathan Lyon was made to toil hard for 2-194, sending down the most overs of his career with 64 while burnt by Australia’s poor use of reviews and missed chances.

Carey missed two stumpings off his bowling, including an extremely difficult chance with Chandimal on 10.

But the real turning point of the match was when Chandimal edged behind a ball of Starc on 30 day three, with Australia out of reviews and unable to overturn the on-field call of not out.