Steve Smith's payback to Jonny Bairstow for 'See ya, Smudge' sledge on Day 2 of Headingley Ashes Test 2023

The former Australia skipper and batting superstar, Steve Smith was subjected to a lot of sledging on the second day of the recently-concluded Headingley Test in Leeds against England. It happened when England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow gave a send-off to Steve Smith after the latter’s dismissal off star England off-spinner Moeen Ali.

But later on, it was on the fourth day of the match when Smith couldn’t hold when he got a chance to give it back to Bairstow. It all happened when veteran Australia pacer Mitchell Starc trapped Bairstow in a fuller length and bowled him out. Smith made no delay in coming up with a ‘'See ya, Jonny' remark for the England batter recalling the latter’s second-day act of ‘see ya smudge’.

England keep Ashes hopes alive with a close win at Headingley

Speaking of the action of the match in the Headingley Test, England registered a close win of 3 wickets to keep their hopes alive in the Ashes 2023. With this England win, the scoreline of the series is at 2-1 in favour of Australia.

Coming back to the recently-concluded third Ashes 2023 Test, England won the toss and decided to bowl first in the first innings. Australia managed to post a total of 263 runs in the first innings courtesy of Mitchell Marsh’s 118 off 118 balls with an amazing strike rate of 100 including 17 boundaries and 4 sixes to his name.

Marsh’s heroics was followed by the sensational bowling performance from the star England pacer Mark Wood who claimed a five-wicket haul after conceding 34 runs. Later on, Australia managed to bundle up England on the score of 237 runs to get a lead of 26 runs at the end of the first innings.

England made a good comeback in the second innings and packed up Australian batting on a total of 224 runs. The Aussies posted a target of 251 runs for England which was chased down by the Three Lions for the loss of three wickets. Harry Brook played a match-defining knock in the fourth innings of the match to play a crucial role in England’s victory by 3 wickets.