Jonny Bairstow’s jab at Steve Smith didn’t quite hit where it should have, and as a result, the incident gained widespread attention.
At 130/2 and a 221-run advantage in the second innings, Australia was in control at the close of Day 3 of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s. After gaining only 47 runs and losing all six of their remaining wickets in the first session of the day, England was bowled out for 325 runs. Once again, the England batter’s choice of shot remained a contentious topic as they faced criticism for their too aggressive style.
Despite the humiliating collapse, the English team didn’t let up, as seen by the fact that their wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow didn’t hesitate to insult Steve Smith, one of Australia’s top hitters. Smith, a centurion from the first innings, had just come at the crease when Bairstow tried to sledge him to break the 34-year-old’s focus. However, the sledge effort failed miserably since Smith didn’t understand the English wicketkeeper.
Bairstow joked, “I reckon you’re the next on Strictly Australia,” after Smith shuffled at the wicket after leaving a delivery from James Anderson in his own peculiar fashion. The sledge made reference to the well-known dancing competition “Strictly Come Dancing,” sometimes known as “Strictly” colloquially in the UK.
The show is known as “Dancing with the Stars” in Australia, so the sledgehammer didn’t quite land on target. Smith legitimately unable to identify it right away, so he asked Bairstow, “What’s that?”
Then Bairstow said, “Bit of dancing for you,” and Smith smirked, “Wouldn’t have thought so.”
It’s interesting that the slur came after Kevin Pietersen complained that the English players were getting too cosy with the Australians.
“Everything is too pleasant and too simple. Are you saying that Ricky Ponting will speak with Geraint Jones in 2005? Do you really believe Michael Vaughan will be standing next to Justin Langer and congratulating him on such a great day?
“Are you serious? Are you really kidding me? ‘I really hope the England coach is giving them the biggest thrashing and yelling ‘it’s not good enough, it’s definitely not good enough!’,” Pietersen had added.
