Ashes | Twitter laughs as Steve Smith abuses captaincy privileges by ignoring mates to take shocking review

Yesterday at 11:36 AM

How tempting can a wicket in Test cricket really be is a question the Decision Review System goes a long way in answering as captains regularly take the bait in desperation, only to be left embarrassed. Perth on Friday was no different as Steve Smith went against his teammates and paid the price.

Steve Smith's first major decision as skipper in the 2025 Ashes did not go to plan in Perth on Day 1

A‌ustralia got off to the perfect start possible in the latest Ashes Down Under as the hosts scalped four before Lunch to leave England reeling at 105/4 at the break. Mitchell Starc played the destructor-in-chief as he began with a wicket maiden before scalping Ben Duckett and Joe Root in quick succession to leave England reeling at 39/3 within the first hour of play, before sounding Ben Stokes the death rattle early in the second session to further exacerbate matters. The onus thus lay on Harry Brook and Jamie Smith to sail England into calmer waters as the team's last recognized batting pair, a fact opposition skipper Steve Smith was well cognizant of as he let it tempt him into his first blunder of the series.

Jamie was just six balls into his innings when Scott Boland delivered a vicious inseamer from wide of the crease to rap the wicket-keeper batter on the front pad and send his team hurtling into a loud appeal. However, the umpire was quick to dismiss the query, prompting Steve to break out an impromptu town hall in the slip cordon. His first question was dircted towards Alex Carey, who expressed his doubts in alignment with Boland who began walking away from the incident. But Steve frantically told him to stand his ground as he went around the cordon asking his other teammates whether a review was worth taking, but the likes of substitute fielder Michael Neser had doubts writ large on their face as they kept hurrying to resume play. Yet, just when the conundrum seemed to have ended and the clock ticked down to its final couple of seconds, Steve put up his arms to signal for a review even as Boland continued to look perplexed by his captain's decisions.

As it turned out, the angle of the delivery couple with movement off the deck meant the Kookaburra was comfortably missing leg stump much to Steve's chagrin. Twitter, on the other hand, could not be more amused.

What a review

— Symonds (@Symonds716624)

Half hearted

Brendan Doggett's first Test wicket...

- Half hearted appeal (except for Smith)

- Nothing much happens

- Eventual call to review

- Harry Brook walks immediately

...just how he drew it up surely ⤵️😅
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket)

Yup

Brook wouldn’t have walked off if not for Smith’s decision to review. He departed the moment Smith signaled for it. Just another example of England’s selective approach to the so called ‘spirit of cricket’ bullshit.
— sayooj (@sayo_oj)

Why

Why go through all the motions of that review seeing Brook was walking once they did review, as he was just sticking around hoping Smith wouldnt review?
— CouchSpecimen (@couch_specimen)

First one

DOGGETT WITH HIS FIRST TEST WICKET!!! Brilliant assist from Smith and Carey.

I really like Harry Brook choosing to walk as soon as the review was taken.
— Patrick Gray (@PatrickM_Gray)

Maiden

Doggett has his maiden Test wicket!

Carey is very confident. As is Smith. Brook is walking off. Even as Australia review. Massive moment this.

Brendan Doggett
— Arun R Arya (@arunarya6396)

Strange

First test wicket for doggatt!!!!!! And what a strange first wicket to remember There was only one man that appealed which was Alex Carey. Nobody else was interested. Convinced smith to go for the review. Brooke walked
— Coach Lucas (@lukeR15sky)

Ultimate

Australia have gone up for LBW against Jamie Smith, but have ultimately burnt their first review, with the DRS backing up Menon's view that the ball was slipping down the leg side.

Smith is then off the mark from the next delivery with an edge through the cordon.
— Guerilla Cricket #GCFromHome (@guerillacricket)

Really