In a clash between New South Wales and Victoria during the fourth match of the Sheffield Shield season 2024-25, Australia cricket star Steve Smith was dismissed for a duck by his international teammate Scott Boland.
The match, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), saw a dramatic second-innings moment as Smith, known for his batting prowess, was sent back to the pavilion without scoring.
Steve Smith gets out for a duck
The crucial dismissal came in the 5th over of New South Wales’ second innings. Boland, known for his accuracy and consistency, delivered a good-length ball that seemed to trouble Steve Smith. Attempting to leave the delivery, Smith misjudged the line, and the ball clipped his pads before landing in wicketkeeper Sam Harper’s gloves. Boland, along with his teammates, appealed for leg-before-wicket (LBW), and the umpire quickly raised his finger. Smith’s short stay at the crease ended after just 4 balls, with his score at 0.
Here is the video:
A duck for Smith!
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Smith, who also struggled in New South Wales’ first innings. The right-handed batter could only manage 3 runs off 29 balls before being dismissed, adding to his disappointing performance in the match. Known for his solid technique and ability to handle pressure, Smith’s rare failure highlighted Victoria’s effective bowling attack.
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New South Wales struggles in their chase
Victoria had the upper hand throughout much of the match as they posted a respectable total of 272 in their first innings. In response, New South Wales crumbled under pressure, managing just 136, handing Victoria a 136-run lead. Victoria bowlers, contributed significantly to the bowling effort, putting New South Wales on the back foot early in the game.
With a substantial first-innings lead, Victoria came out to bat confidently in their second innings. Despite facing some resistance from the New South Wales bowlers, they managed to post a competitive score of 246, setting an imposing target of 382 for New South Wales to chase. The Victorian batting lineup, led by several key contributions, ensured that they were in a commanding position heading into the final two days.
By the end of Day 3, New South Wales reached 185 for the loss of 6 wickets, still needing 198 runs to win with just 4 wickets in hand. The dismissal of key players, including Smith, has left them in a precarious position. With two days remaining, the team faces an uphill battle against a determined Victorian bowling attack
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