Twitter heaps praises on Steve Smith for resolute knock in comeback

Steve Smith didn’t have an auspicious time in the last few months. A year back, he was touted to break a number of records in world cricket owing to his unorthodox, yet stupendous prowess with the willow. The ball-tampering fiasco in Cape Town not only severely tarnished Australian cricket’s reputation, but also made Smith an overnight ‘villain’ from being a ‘superstar’.

The tainted cricketer broke down in a press conference while admitting to his wrongdoing. Meanwhile, the media tried their hearts out to keep an eye on Smith’s whereabouts and the same antics were bashed by Darren Sammy, the Windies cricketer. However, Smith didn’t let the situation to unnerve him. He was drafted in to play for the Toronto Nationals in the inaugural edition of the Global Canada T20.

Smith’s jaw-dropping comeback

He played under the captaincy of Sammy in the National’s opening match versus the Vancouver Knights and did reasonably well. He took a brilliant catch at long off to dismiss Chris Gayle, who looked set to tee off. It also provided Canadian off-break bowler Nikhil Dutta with his first wicket. In the 9th over, he dropped a rather simple chance of Evin Lewis, who notched 96 runs to take the Knights to 227.

In response, Sammy’s men lost the first wicket of Nizakat Khan to Tim Southee in the very first over. Smith came in thereafter and had the responsibility to guide his team forward. He did the same with sheer class and racked up a magnificent half-century. The right-hander scored 61 runs from 41 balls and laid the platform for the run-chase, which seemed improbable in the start.

He was eventually nipped out by Fawad Ahmed in the 14th over. Smith tried to use his feet and missed the leather. Chadwick Walton, the Windies wicketkeeper dislodged the bails without much fuss. The Nationals won the match by six wickets with four balls remaining. In the meantime, Twitter was all praises for the return of the Australian prodigy.

Here are the reactions from Twitterati

Steve Smith #GT20Canada pic.twitter.com/oHpE8rBhLy

— Frank Pingue (@FrankPingue) June 28, 2018

Pleased to see him back to the game and played classical inning well Played @stevesmith49 mate 🙌🏻👍🏻👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/NQaJKu52kM

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) June 28, 2018

Happy to see Steve Smith back in competitive cricket 🤙 well deserved 41 ball 61 runs for Toronto Nationals 👍 @stevesmith49 #GT20Canada #Cricket
Waiting for the Action of @davidwarner31 💪 pic.twitter.com/nwhKN5ehY0

— Raju Anandhan (@RajuAnandhan1) June 29, 2018

Steve Smith's last two T20s:

Half century in IPL finals
Half century in GT20 first game#GlobalT20Canada
–
"TauSeeF_M^S"

— Ms Dhoni MsDhoni Fans (@0fficialDhoniFC) June 29, 2018

Not a bad return to the cricket field for Steve Smith. 61 off 41 balls to help his team to a six-wicket victory. @GT20Canada #CanadaGT20 pic.twitter.com/5DUwmFQbRn

— Cricket365 (@Cricket365) June 29, 2018

Chris Gayle, who captains Vancouver in the Global T20 Canada, said Steve Smith should be given a second chance after the ball tampering scandal. Smith is playing cricket for the first time since his int. ban and Aus domestic ban, so too is David Warner. pic.twitter.com/vD2s16ildo

— #FineLeg (@FineLegProd) June 29, 2018

Batsman – Chris Gayle (T20 Boss)
Bowler – Nikhil Dutta (Canada player)
Fielder – Steven Smith (Player under spotlight)

Perfect dismissal to start the #GT20Canada.

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) June 28, 2018

Steve Smith today:

First 25 balls – 29 runs (SR – 116.00)
Last 16 balls – 32 runs (SR – 200.00)#GT20Canada

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) June 28, 2018

I want Steve Smith to return twice the player he was before that ban.

— KASHISH (@crickashish217) June 29, 2018

After all those Controversy …Steve Smith is back to Cricket . Played a crucial part in Toronto's win . Scored 61 off 41 balls #GlobalT20Canada #GT20Canada #cricket #sportsFreak pic.twitter.com/6m6z7QmCyo

— Sports freak (@SForg1) June 29, 2018

Good to see that Steve Smith is playing cricket again. And he scored a decent little knock of 61. Hope the rest of his career is positive.

— Prashant Paul (@PrashantSport) June 29, 2018

The first ball Steve Smith faced yesterday, he played a gorgeous straight drive using only his wrists that hit the stumps at the other end. The stroke signifies there is no chance he has lost his touch despite not playing any competitive cricket for close to 90 days. #GT20Canada

— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) June 29, 2018

I'll tell you one thing, Australia need Steve Smith & David Warner back. Ain't no getting around that one. 😩

— Bongani Mabhena (@BongzM7) June 29, 2018

#stevesmith 🥇

He turned a rusty start into a brilliant half-century.

He took a smart catch and he dropped a skier.

It was an eventful return to action for Steve Smith.

Plz Let them play in International matches too now enough with ur nonsense ban😐#Retweet – Agree 🔁✔️ pic.twitter.com/PefEEfGr7W

— 🕉️ FANTASY WORLD 🕉️ (@Dream11_ALT) June 29, 2018

Steve Smith Returns. He's Playing His First Game Since March 25. Playing For Toronto Nationals Vs Vancouver Knights. #GlobalT20Canada #GT20Canada

Target 228
TTN 111/2 (10 Overs)#SteveSmith 42* Off 31 Balls. (4x4s, 1×6) Game On. pic.twitter.com/AtbB4PxI74

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadejaaaa) June 28, 2018