Revealed! Here’s why Steve Smith regained Test captaincy in the 2nd Ashes 2021 match
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Steve Smith
The second Ashes 2021-22 Test match is currently underway at the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. Meanwhile, the hosts were hit by a major setback ahead of the game when their skipper and lead pace bowler Pat Cummins was ruled out and Steve Smith took the charge of the side.
This incident took place when the 28-year-old was being tagged as a “close contact” to a Covid positive case yesterday. As a result, he will have to be in isolation for a minimum of seven days.
Coming to Smith’s captaincy, the right-handed batter got back this role after 45 months as he was earlier sacked owing to the ‘SandpaperGate Saga’. He not only lost his position as Test captain but was also banned for a year by Cricket Australia (CA).
Australia win toss; opts to bat first
The coin also fell in Smith’s favour as he won the toss and opted to bat first in the pink-ball Test match against England. The Aussies made two changes in their side as Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser came in place of Josh Hazlewood and Cummins. On the other hand, the Joe Root-led side brought back James Anderson and Stuart Broad for Mark Wood and Jack Leach.
“We are going to have a bat. I think you can control the game if you bat first. Huge honour (to lead Australia again). Feel for Patty for missing this game. Hopefully, we can have a good week. He just wished me good luck and said it’s your team go well. Excited for Jhye and Michael Neser,” Smith said during the toss.
“We would have batted first as well. It’s unfortunate circumstances. We fully respect the rest of the squad. We need to play well. Stuart to get that special landmark in an Ashes Test, you don’t need more motivation. Jack Leach misses out. Had to make a brave call and back the seamers to do the job. We need to recognize the phases to do well with the bat and ball,” Root stated.
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Sachin Arora
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