Video: Australian captain Steve Smith dropped by Colin Munro attempting to do a MS Dhoni
On his way to his career-best ODI score of 164, Australian captain Steve Smith lived a charmed life against New Zealand in the first ODI at Sydney. Not only was he dropped early in the game by the keeper but he was also out lbw but Kane Williamson’s decision to not review meant he got his second life in the space of five balls off the bowling of Trent Boult.
And it was against the bowling of Trent Boult as well that he managed to not only reach his career-best ODI score but also attempt an audacious helicopter shot ala Indian captain MS Dhoni but only succeeding finding the fielder in front of square, who dropped an easy chance.
Extra Cover: Stats: Most runs in international cricket across all formats in 2016
The Australian captain is a teammate of MS Dhoni and the pair played together for the Rising Pune Supergiants in the Indian Premier League 2016 before injury forced a premature end to his tournament, which he began so well. And it looks as though, he certainly picked up a trick or two from the Indian limited-overs skipper.
In the 46th over of the Australian innings bowled by Trent Boult, Smith had already plundered 12 runs off the first three balls, the last of which was a delicate dab to the third man boundary, which brought up his highest score in ODI cricket.
So he was certainly in great touch, when he whipped a ball towards the square leg umpire, where Colin Munro was stationed. But the New Zealand batsman made a mess of a simple catch to his right and gave Smith his third life of the game.
WATCH: Steve Smith almost gets out after smashing his career-best ODI score
Although he fell for 164 in Trent Boult’s next over caught this time by Munro after he tried to increase the scoring rate and only top-edging a big shot, the damage was done and the Australian captain had made the most of the three chances that was afforded to him by the Kiwis and also passed David Warner into third place on the list of leading run-scorers in 2016.
He described scoring an ODI century on his home ground, and his first against New Zealand, as a "nice feeling” but also admitted that he had a bit of luck.
“You got to take that when you get it and make the most of it. It is satisfying to get a big score on my home ground," he said. “It was nice to get a big score on my home ground. I love batting here and it is a great place to play, especially in front of my family.“
Australia were struggling at 92/4 and it took a captain’s knock by Steve Smith to help them get to 324/6. He was ably assisted by Travis Head, who also registered his career-best ODI score and a late cameo from Matthew Wade who finished with a 22-ball 38.
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