Twitter Reactions: Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne frustrate the bowlers on a windy, rainy day

It was that kind of day in Machester where the play kept starting and stopping due to rain. There was nothing on offer for the bowlers off the pitch and it was quite windy as well. Thus, from one end, they had to bowl against the wind which made things more difficult for them. At one stage, even the bails had to be removed at both ends as they kept falling off due to the strong wind. Yet, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne remained concentrated and didn’t let the breaks waiver their focus.

David Warner became Stuart Broad’s bunny once again in this innings. For the fifth time in the series, the left-hander was dismissed by Broad. Warner’s indecision to play or leave a delivery cost him his wicket. The way he tried to pull out his bat at the last moment showed that he was clearly low on confidence. Furthermore, it was Stuart Broad yet again who dismissed Marcus Harris as well for 13 runs. At 28/2, Australia seemed to be in a spot of bother.

Steve Smith continues to dominate in the Ashes

But Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne joined hands to stitch together a wonderful 116-run partnership. It all seemed to easy for them with the wind and other factors coming in to play. After the 25-year-old mustered 67 runs, he was cleaned up by Craig Overton. A slight lapse in concentration and a bit of lazy movement created a gap between the bat and the pads. That was sufficient for the ball to sneak through and disturb the woodwork.

However, the former Australian captain kept going strong at the other end. It seemed as if he was playing against the beach ball when he was batting. Smith mustered 60 runs from 93 balls and is going strong. Travis Head at the other end was unbeaten on 18 at the close of play on Day-1. Australia finished with 170/3 and play had to be called off early due to rain.

Twitterati bowed down to the brilliance of Steve Smith yet again. They opined that Australia would be a force to reckon with as Marnus Labuschagne is also playing excellent cricket. Also, the fans expressed amusement about the bails being removed, the chips packets flying onto the ground and Steve Smith sweeping a beach ball that flew into the centre from the stands.

Here is how Twitterati reacted:

Steve ‘Unstoppable’ Smith #TheAshes

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 4, 2019

In his last 12 Ashes Innings, Steve Smith has been out on a single digit score only once. His 2nd lowest score is 40!

143, 141*, 40, 6, 239, 76, 102*, 83
144, 142, 92, 60*

1268 Runs – 141 Avg#Ashes2019 #Ashes19

— Saurabh (@Boomrah_) September 4, 2019

1) Steve Smith has scored runs under every condition, in every country, against every opponent. Annoys me when people say things like – the wind didn’t let the bowlers get into rhythm – it’s difficult to bat too when it’s windy with wrappers & other things keep rolling onto the..

— Pallavi Deka (@MyCricketTweets) September 5, 2019

Steve Smith batting performance in 1st innings of a test:

39 innings.
3,033 runs*.
215 highest score.
6* fifties.
15 hundreds.
91.90 average.

Lord of 1st innings, 15 centuries under 40 innings that too at an average of 90+. Just shows how phenomenal he is over the years!

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 4, 2019

So some people are still booing Steve Smith after his great performances in the Ashes and there was me thinking the kids had gone back to school

— Brian Brain (@brianbrain8455) September 4, 2019

Perhaps no other pic better illustrates how batting appears for Steve Smith’s … pic.twitter.com/PLC1opkIoQ

— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn) September 5, 2019

Steve Smith: An un-orthodox story

He is simply the best in the world????❤️ pic.twitter.com/0a76kwkWG5

— Anmol Pal (@anmolpal1999) September 4, 2019

Jofra Archer attacking Steve Smith this test…#Ashes pic.twitter.com/LGUkF0oTWP

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) September 4, 2019

Again, Steve Smith #Ashes2019 pic.twitter.com/RuKps3SzwL

— jay allėn (@jayjay_allen) September 4, 2019

When you get Australia to 28-2, but you see Steve Smith walking out next #Ashes19 pic.twitter.com/wsSYsPQuwu

— Nathaniel Rookes (@NatRookes93) September 4, 2019

Steve Smith as renaissance paintings pic.twitter.com/gvcNQMhZ97

— dorku (@Dorkstar) September 4, 2019

Steve Smith’s eighth consecutive 50+ score in #Ashes contests breaks his own record of seven

— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) September 4, 2019

What kind of shot that was???????? ..
Steve smith bags another half century. This bloke is impeccable.#Ashes2019 pic.twitter.com/c72lYsFpNH

— Prateek Sitoula (@PrateekSitoula) September 4, 2019

Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne now have more runs than the rest of Australia’s top 7 combined this summer. 696 at an average of 116; their teammates have 673 at an average of 18

— Tim (@timwig) September 4, 2019

England fans whenever Steve Smith gets to the crease: pic.twitter.com/4bvqvbN6oN

— Out of Context Cricket (@OOCCricket_) September 4, 2019