Cricket: Australian star Steve Smith’s little tactic caught on camera during SCG’s test against India

Australian cricketer Steve Smith has been charged with unsportsmanlike behavior during India’s second inning of the New Year’s Trial at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

During the drinking break in the morning session on day five, Smith was seen in the shadow of the cameras hitting near the popped crease.

But before taking his place on the field, Smith scraped the stump marks off the field with his foot, forcing Indian hitter Rishabh Pant to take guard once more.

In 2018, Smith and his Australian teammate David Warner were banned from cricket for 12 months for their involvement in the ball-handling saga during a test in South Africa.

Smith was also stripped of the captaincy.

Importantly, his cheeky move on the fold this time falls within the laws of cricket, as Smith’s markings were not made in the danger zones of the field.

Ultimately, it only served to waste his opponent’s time, but several viewers were offended by the petty tactic regardless.

Indian broadcaster Aakash Chopra tweeted: “Shoes can be used for many things. Removing an opponent’s batting guard mark as well … Not for catching well though.”

Another cricket fan wrote: “It’s old Australia. Steve Smith is interfering with the batter’s guard. Paine is putting pressure on the umpires by abusing them.”

The distraction apparently did not deter Pant, who hit a rapid-fire 97 on Monday to aid India’s impressive rear-guard action in pursuit of 407 unlikely runs for victory in Test 3.

The visitors eventually fell short at 73 races, but a rear in the final session earned India a draw and kept the series level at 1 apiece.