Criticism for Jamie Smith's Shot Selection in Ashes 2025 Test
England's Struggles on Day 2 of the Ashes 2025
On January 5, during the fifth Test of the Ashes 2025 series at the Sydney Cricket Ground, England's wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith faced backlash for his poor shot choice that led to his dismissal. England began their first innings at 211/3, with Joe Root and Harry Brook at the crease, scoring 72 and 78 runs respectively. Ultimately, the team was all out for 384 runs in 97.3 overs, with Root shining through with a remarkable 160 runs off 242 balls, including 15 boundaries. Brook and Smith also contributed with scores of 84 and 46, helping England secure a solid first-innings total.
However, the latter part of the innings saw England lose their grip, collapsing from 323/6 to 384 all out, losing their last four wickets for just 61 runs, which allowed Australia a chance to regain control despite Root's stellar performance.
Jamie Smith's Controversial Dismissal
As England struggled to maintain their batting momentum after Root's exceptional innings, Jamie Smith faced significant criticism for his shot selection. Coming in to bat after captain Ben Stokes at 229/5, Smith partnered with Root to form a vital 94-run partnership for the sixth wicket, pushing the score past 300 before his dismissal at 323/6.
Smith's exit drew sharp criticism, particularly from former Australian player and coach Justin Langer. Attempting an aerial shot off a short delivery from Marnus Labuschagne, Smith was caught easily by Scott Boland at deep cover.
Langer, commenting live, condemned Smith's decision, labeling it as 'one of the dumbest shots' witnessed in the ongoing Ashes series. He remarked, 'Jamie Smith has played one of the dumbest shots you’ll ever see in Test cricket. He was fortunate earlier with a soft dismissal off a no-ball. Test cricket lasts five days; this is foolish cricket. Marnus Labuschagne is ecstatic.'
Joe Root Supports Jamie Smith
Despite the backlash regarding Smith's shot selection, Joe Root defended his teammate, emphasizing that England's strategy focuses on advancing the game rather than merely surviving. He acknowledged that mistakes are part of the learning process and expressed his unwavering support for Smith, stating, 'We're always trying to move the game forward, and when it doesn't work out, it can appear a certain way. As a batter, your role is to score runs, not just to survive. You can't win matches by merely surviving.'
Root further added, 'Sometimes mistakes happen, and it's essential to learn from them. The essence of the game is to be realistic about what you need to do to excel. They are undoubtedly talented players, and I support them 100%.'
Australia's Response at the End of Day 2
At the conclusion of Day 2, Australia had reached 166/2, with Travis Head and nightwatchman Michael Neser batting at 91 and 1, respectively. They trail by 218 runs against England's first-innings total of 384, setting the stage for an intense Day 3 as both teams vie for momentum in this series finale.