'I had to keep moving forward, that is part of game' - Steve Smith clears air on mix-up with Usman Khawaja

Australian star batter Steve Smith opened up about his mixup with Usman Khawaja that led to his run-out in the first Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle. Smith drew criticism for his gesture towards Khawaja after the run-out before he stormed off the field. He recently said that he has got over it as that is part of the game.

Smith said that he hated getting run out considering that the conditions in Galle were tough and that he was one of the most experienced players. Smith mentioned that he spoke to Khawaja after the run-out and that the latter was “chilled”. He added that mixups happen, and they keep moving on.

I got over it pretty quickly: Steve Smith

“I hate getting run out. I think anyone does,” Smith was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo. “Particularly given the [tough] conditions and gifting them a wicket. As one of the most experienced players, I was pretty upset. That happens in the game. I got over it pretty quickly. I had to keep moving forward and that is part of the game. I spoke to Uz straight after and he was pretty chilled. Mix-ups happen, we keep moving on.”

Smith also spoke about his approach to facing the spinners. He said that he prefers going down the wicket or going deep into the crease, adding that he is not a “huge” sweeper. He also mentioned that it was not about getting stuck in the crease with the ball spinning into him but about having courage in the way the team is playing. “I’m not a huge sweeper so I prefer to run down the wicket and get them off their lengths that way or come back into my crease,” he said.

“Really it’s about not getting stuck on the crease with the ball spinning into me. If I’m doing that well and fast on the feet, I usually feel pretty good. It’s about having courage in the way guys are playing. It’s good we all play a little bit differently,” added the 33-year-old.

Australia won the first Test match in Galle by ten wickets and with over two days to spare. The second and final Test will begin on July 8.