Sir Alastair Cook Shares His Opinion on Steve Smith & ‘Scuffgate’ Controversy
Steve Smith’s scuffing act in the third Test in the recently concluded series against India has drawn mixed reactions from experts and fans of the game.
Sparking controversy during Australia versus India is something more than normal. One such incidence that caught the attention of netizen was “Steve Smith’s erasing the batting guard marks of Rishabh Pant“ in the third Test at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Many cricket experts and Pundits also came forward to put their opinions on the matter. Meanwhile, former England cricketer Sir Alastair Cook is the new addition to this list.
Cook feels that Steve Smith’s scuffing saga during the Sydney Test was blown a tad out of proportion. However, the veteran also stated that Smith is most likely to come under the scanner more often due to his past history.
“I think, given what’s happened [with Steve Smith]; obviously everything is going to be talked about. I think like anything in a series when you try to put the opposition off; it’s been taken a little bit out of context, I’d imagine. Whether it is intentional or not, only he will know but, yeah, it only makes you more intrigued “ said Cook in an interview with RadioTimes.com on Thursday.
The controversy started on the final day of the SCG Test after Smith was seen shadow-batting at the striker’s end and scuffing the crease, following which Rishabh Pant had to mark the guard afresh. The footage soon went viral on social media as angry Indian fans alleged that he was trying out tricks to affect the rhythm of the batsman.
India Gave a Blueprint of Winning in Australia: Cook
After the 2019 Ashes series ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw in England, Joe Root’s boys are scheduled to play the next edition Down Under starting November this year. Cook believed that England could learn from India, who have performed outstandingly well and showed how to play against Australia on their soil.
“England have some serious strength in depth to be able to go there and play well. You see India have done a job on them in this series and almost showed the way to play against this Australia side,” said Alastair Cook.
“It’s not easy, but it’s proper grind cricket. India gave nothing away and eventually wore Australia down and full credit to them,” Alastair Cook concluded.
India wrote history by defeating Australia at the Gabba after 32 years, thereby winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1.
