Cricket
In Test cricket, leaving the ball is an art. And no one does it quite like Steve Smith
Leaving the ball isn’t just ignoring it. It’s a skill that protects your wicket and frustrates bowlers, forcing them to change their plan
Smith’s leave is far from static. He shuffles, hops and moves across the crease before confidently shouldering arms. It’s as unique as his batting stance
Those busy movements make bowlers unsure. By the time he leaves, Smith is well behind the line, making even good deliveries look harmless
Even players like Marnus Labuschagne copy this style. Smith’s approach has inspired a new generation to make the ‘leave’ an attacking skill
This unorthodox leave is a big reason why Steve Smith is one of the hardest wickets to take in modern cricket