Watch: "If He Wasn't Allowed To..." Team Australia Reveals Worst Present For Steve Smith

06.06.2023 - 20:07 sports.ndtv.com

India and Australia are gearing up to face each other in the most-awaited World Test Championship final at The Oval from June 7.

Both the teams are busy sweating it out in the nets as they aim to add another coveted ICC trophy to their name. With only three days left for the marquee event, ICC had a fun activity with Team Australia, where all the players were asked to name the worst gift which they would like to give their star batter Steve Smith.

Majority of the players came up with a common answer, which was related to Smith's batting. Notably, Smith celebrated his 34th birthday on June 2. "Tell him training is cancelled or he is not allowed to bat," Australia captain Pat Cummins said in a video posted by ICC on Instagram.

A post shared by ICC (@icc) "I feel like it's going to be said a lot, no batting for a week," all-rounder Mitchell Marsh revealed. "Get him something from Kmart," Labuschagne said during Usman Khawaja's turn. "No batting for a day," Matthew Renshaw said. "You're probably right, if he wasn't allowed to hit balls today, he would have a bad birthday," Starc agreed with his teammates. "Probably a day off cricket training," Scott Boland said.

cricket Australia Cricket Team watch Pat Cummins Scott Boland Mitchell Starc Steve Smith Mitchell Marsh Aaron Finch Steven Smith Australia India

It isn't just the contest between the bat and the ball but also the 'fan factor' that makes the Ashes contest a special one in cricket. Though the first Test at Edgbaston is still evenly poised, England fans are doing their best to give their team the advantage by unnerving Australia's stalwarts. In a video that has surfaced on social media, home fans could be heard trying to mock Australia batter Steve Smith with 'Saw you crying on telly' chants.

Stuart Broad's late wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith swing thrilling first Ashes Test in England's favour

Stuart Broad took two late wickets on a pulsating fourth day of the first Ashes Test to boost England’s hopes of victory. Having bowled England out for 273 in their second innings, Australia made a positive start in pursuit of their target of 281 to win. Ad But Ollie Robinson removed David Warner (36) to break the opening partnership before Broad had Marnus Labuschagne (13) and Steve Smith (6) caught behind late in the evening to ramp up the noise levels at Egbaston.

Steve Smith's Unique Leave On Stuart Broad's Hat-trick Ball Sparks Internet Meme Fest

Australia batter Steve Smith's funny leave on the bowling of Stuart Broad has sparked meme fest on Twitter. Broad was breathing fire in the first session of the ongoing first Ashes Test on Saturday. England didn't have a good start on Day 2 but Broad later dismissed set batter David Warner and newcomer Marnus Labuchagne on consecutive deliveries to put his side on top. Steve Smith came in at number 4 and got the tough task to steady the Australian ship. However, before that he had to stop Broad from taking a hat-trick.

Steve Smith's Unique Leave On Stuart Broad's Hat-trick Ball Sparks Internet Meme Fest

Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith And Travis Head Equal 39-Year-Old Record

For the first time in 39 years, three batters from the same team occupy the top three places in the ICC men's Test ranking for batters. Australia's Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith And Travis Head are currently ranked one, two and three, respectively, in the latest rankings released on Wednesday. While Labuschagne has been at the top for a while, Smith and Head were rewarded for their knocks against India in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final last week. Australia defeated India in the final to become to first team to win all four ICC tournaments.