Former England lanky fast bowler Steve Harmison has stated that Steven Smith will always be remembered as a cheat. Smith was banned for a year with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft (nine months ban) for their involvement in the ball-tampering saga in the Cape Town Test in South Africa. However, Smith has made a roaring comeback into the red-ball format as he is in the form of his life.
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Smith scored a fine double century in the first innings of the ongoing fourth Test match at Old Trafford. The talismanic batsman also followed it with another fine knock of 82 runs in the second essay. In fact, Smith has scored 671 runs thus far in the Ashes 2019 at a staggering average of 134.20. He has only played five innings so far.
Smith has been in great form.
“I don’t think you can forgive him,” Harmison said while speaking on TalkSport.
“I said this many, many times during the 12 months that Smith, Warner and Bancroft came out (of the side)… When you are known as a cheat, and he is, I’m not going to sugar coat it. He cheated, the three guys cheated, that’s on your CV. You take it to your grave.”
Meanwhile, Steven Smith is also likened with the great Sir Don Bradman for his unbelievable consistency. However, the former English bowler believes Smith doesn’t deserve to be compared with the legendary Australian batsman.
“Whatever Steve Smith does, he will always be remembered for what happened in South Africa. He’s tarnished the game,” he said.all
England has their backs against the wall as they are tottering at 87-4 in the second innings. Thus, Australia is six wickets away from retaining the Ashes. Pat Cummins has been the pick of the bowler for the visitors as he has scalped all the four wickets.
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England needs another miracle to stay afloat in the series. Meanwhile, Steven Smith has been in great form and he deserves a lot of credit for Australia’s strong position.
