Steve Smith / File Photo
Sydney: Tim Payne’s explanation over allegations that Steve Smith erased Rishabh’s ball guard. Payne, who supported Steve Smith, says it was one of Smith’s weirdest habits.
I talked to Smith about this. Smith is disappointed that things are being interpreted this way. If you have ever seen Smith play Test cricket you will understand. Smith does this five or six times a day in every game, Payne said.
Smith will come to the batting crease, for shadow batting. Steve Smith has a lot of weird habits. One of them is guard marking. Smith did not erase the guard marks of the ball. If Smith had done so, the Indian players would have complained.
Smith has a routine of getting to the crease and showing how he plays, the Australian captain said. Erasing the guard marks of Rishabh’s ball would not have even occurred to Smith’s thoughts. But Payne said Smith now has to put an end to his habit.
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