Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has expressed his disappointment at Steve Smith’s blow-up at Usman Khawaja, suggesting his form slump may be behind the reaction.
Taylor is the second Test legend to question Smith’s aggressive response, with Ian Chappell also criticising the former skipper’s actions earlier in the week.
While Smith seemed to lay the blame at the feet of Khawaja for the run out, Taylor suggested that they were both at fault.
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“I think that was the only disappointing thing for me in what was a really good performance from the Aussies,” he told Nine’s Sports Sunday.
“It’s a real mix-up and I think they’re both responsible. I’ve watched this a number of times, Smith first said no, then yes, Khawaja sort of went a bit and then stopped.
“Obviously when you get run out you’re disappointed and you’re going to see a reaction and you expect that from anyone at any time, but I think Steve went too long with it.
“Show your disappointment and then get off. I was always told as a young cricketer there’s only one thing you can do when you get out, and that’s get off, because the longer you dwell out there, people like us start writing stories and making up what may or may not have happened.
“Just get off the ground, particularly when you’re the vice-captain and the former captain of the side, you’ve got to be better than that. Just get off the ground and say, ‘OK, I’m disappointed but I’m now out’, and leave it to Khawaja to get on and make a score.”
The single-figure score against Sri Lanka continued what has been a lean run for Smith by his lofty standards in recent times.
After returning with three centuries and three half-centuries in his first Test series following the sandpaper scandal, Smith has managed just one century and averaged just 38.62 in the 18 Tests that have followed.
“I think he’s so focused on making runs and in the last couple of years after a brilliant comeback after the sandpaper issues … since then he’s actually struggled a little bit, he’s only averaging 40,” he said.
“Now 40 is still very good, but it’s not Steve Smith-esque, it’s not 60 like we’re used to seeing.”
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