Published: Sep 10, 2019, 03:26 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 10, 2019, 03:26 PM (IST)
Pictures of Steve Smith, Australia’s Ashes 2019 hero in the fourth Test at Manchester, wearing spectacles has created a huge storm on social media. If having to deal with chants of “cheat” were not enough, England fans raged on Twitter and accused Smith of mocking the glasses-wearing Jack Leach, who helped England win a dramatic third Test at Headingley.
According to some reports in the English media, the 30-year-old former Australia captain, returning to the Test arena after serving 12-month suspension, was also seen shadow batting left-handed in the “middle of a team huddle” during the shenanigans.
— David Coverdale (@dpcoverdale) September 8, 2019
Jack Leach mimicked his 1* when England won a classic.
Steve Smith, a cheat, celebrated by openly mocking a fellow professional.
Some people are just classier than others. https://t.co/rFuy1JYfTH
— Tom Albrighton (@tmalbrghtn) September 8, 2019
READ: Free glasses for life for Jack Leach after Ben Stokes’ tweet following Ashes heroics
However, according to Getty photographer Ryan Pierse, who got an up-close look at the celebrations, Smith was actually trying to mimic former Aussie opener Chris ‘Buck’ Rogers, who also wears spectacles. Rogers, like Leach, likes to wear glasses when he bats, hence the confusion. Add to that, Bucky is also colourblind.
Bit of chat in the UK and Australian press this morning that Steve Smith was mocking Jack Leach last night. The fact is Steve donned some glasses as a nod to the great Chris ‘Bucky’ Rogers. Uncanny resemblance wouldn’t you say! 🤓🏺🇦🇺 @gettysport @stevesmith49 #Ashes19 pic.twitter.com/pDtlsGBY9A
— Ryan Pierse (@RyanPierse) September 9, 2019
Earlier, in the third Test, Leach helped team-mate Ben Stokes manufacture a remarkable win with a 73-run unbroken partnership — of which he made a solitary run. However, in the next Test, Leach made a meal of a delivery after Smith was picked in the slips by Stokes. However, the only problem was that the spinner overstepped the mark and was called for a no-ball. Smith was summoned back and scored another 93 to set up the victory.
The Australian now has scored an astonishing 671 runs at an average innings of 134.2, including three hundreds, despite missing England’s one-wicket win in the third Test at Headingley with concussion.
ICYMI: The Aussies belt out the team song after retaining the urn!
Next stop: The Oval #Ashes pic.twitter.com/n87QlmgDuu
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 9, 2019
Elaborating on wearing glasses, Leach said: “I know I look stupid when I’m out there,” Leach told Sky Sports after the Third Test. “I had to make sure my glasses were clean, because I wouldn’t want to be facing up with the drips of sweat coming down.”
READ: Fans accused of ‘racist and homophobic abuse’ aimed at players during fourth Ashes Test
Australia have retained the Ashes after victory at Manchester with one Test left to go at The Oval which begins on September 12.
