Australian
batsman Steve Smith has responded to Ian Chappell's comments that he was trying
to undermine captain Tim Paine during the second Test against Pakistan on
Monday.
Australian batsman
Steve Smith has responded to the former captain Ian Chappell's claims that he
was trying to 'white ant' or undermine Tim Paine during the second Test against
Pakistan which concluded on Monday. Australia defeated Pakistan by an innings and
48 runs in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval to clinch the two-match series
2-0.
Chappell, who has remained a vocal observer of the game
after his retirement, said he was disappointed with Smith's act on the field
during the second Test. The former Australian captain said he "hated"
to see Smith undermining captain Paine on the pitch and trying to move the
fielders on his own when the latter was not interested in doing so.
"I tell you what I don't like to see, Steve Smith is moving a few
fieldsmen around, Chappell told Macquarie
Sports Radio.
"He did have a chat with Tim Paine, trying to talk Tim
Paine into moving a fielder on the off-side, but I'm not sure Tim Paine moved
him as far as Steve Smith wanted. Steve Smith started moving him, I hate to see
that," he added.
Responding to Chappell's comments, Smith clarified that he
was clearly not undermining Paine and was giving him suggestions just to help
him out on the pitch. "I only try and help Tim as much as I can. He's
doing a terrific job, but I give him suggestions and things like that,"
Smith added. 'I only want the team to do well. I'm certainly not undermining
him," Smith told 9News.
Paine was
appointed as the captain of the Australian Test side in the aftermath of the
ball-tampering scandal which saw Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft
getting banned for their roles in the infamous incident which rocked Australian
cricket last year. However, Smith has made a brilliant comeback in the whites
for Australia after his ban ended, earlier this year.
He took the Ashes 2019 by a storm with a series of
impressive performances and finished as the top-scorer in the series with a
staggering 774 runs in just seven innings. With the help of his heroics,
Australia managed to draw the Ashes 2-2 and retain the prestigious urn.
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