Steve Smith’s life as a Test opener started in worrying fashion on Friday night with the batter falling for a duck on the first ball of the Sydney Smash — seconds after some lighthearted banter from David Warner.
Smith was this week confirmed as the Test opening replacement for the retired Warner and, as luck would have it, the pair were pitted against each other at the SCG days later.
A mic’d up Warner was in the field first for the Sydney Thunder and was all smiles before play with the Sixers’ Smith, who was tasked with facing the first ball.
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Warner couldn’t resist a lighthearted dig at his long-time teammate, who was involved in an Australian Open exhibition with Novak Djokovic on Thursday night.
“He’s got his tennis swing on I reckon. Him and Novak Djokovic are mates now, so we might see a bit of top spin,” Warner said.
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Mark Waugh then asked on Fox Cricket if he was trying to distract Smith.
“Nothing distracts him ever,” Warner replied before sledging Smith as he marked guard.
“No that’s not centre. To the right.
“Mate, if you open the batting you have got to mark it properly. One go only.”
Smith was then caught trying to go big off the first ball from Daniel Sams.
“I don’t think anybody can believe that,” Mark Howard said.
“I don’t think Steve Smith has mis-hit one for the Sixers in two seasons, I can’t believe that,” Mark Waugh added.
“It is a pretty hard shot to play first ball.”
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While there won’t be any alarm bells over the dismissal given the major differences between T20 and Test cricket, the timing was somewhat awkward.
Before the game, Smith was explaining why he put his hand up to open the batting in Test cricket for Australia, and why he believes he’s suited to the role.
“I am (excited about the potential),” Smith told Howard.
“I like facing the newer ball. You look at the 2019 Ashes, I was in pretty early most of the time there facing the new ball.
“I batted No.3 for a number of years, too, and was in early and did pretty well against the new ball.
“So it’s nothing new or foreign to me. I like getting in there and among it and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”