Gamble over follow-on led Smith to take sleeping pills
ENGLAND’S fourth day fightback worried Steve Smith enough for the Australian captain to require sleeping pills!
The Three Lions put themselves in contention for an unlikely victory after bowling the hosts out cheaply and closing day four on 176-4. And with 178 more required on the final day, it had Smith’s boots slightly quaking.
Smith said: “I had to have a sleeping pill! I was a little bit nervous last night.
“It’s been a pretty tough 24 hours. It’s all part of being captain of your country. Sometimes you’re going to make the wrong decision. It’s part of a learning experience. I’ll reflect on some things I can improve.” A LOT gets said about how the Barmy Army are only there for the drink and party atmosphere, but England’s hardcore supporters showed Steve Smith they certainly pay attention to the on-field action.
The Aussie skipper had already used up his allocated reviews when Nathan Lyon thought he had trapped Dawid Malan lbw.The umpire turned it down, and with no appeals left, the Barmy Army took their chance to goad Smith.
Hundreds of fans made the ‘T’ signal, used to indicate a review, with Joe Root sharing a sly grin. Smith, on the other hand, was not amused. JAMIE Overton, twin brother of England’s debut man Craig Overton, was left in a spot of bother this week – he was unable to watch his sibling!
Sat at home in Taunton in the early hours of Saturday morning, he tweeted: “Yes @craigoverton12 now how am I gonna watch this? Whys it on @btsportcricket such a pain!! #681”.
Thankfully for Jamie, there were a number of options. His parents had set up his 89- year-old grandfather with BT Sport before flying out, so visiting was an option.
But then a Somerset member got in touch, offering Jamie a login to watch online and allowing him to stay in bed in the wee hours and get the laptop out! JONNY Bairstow was overwhelmed this week after being presented with a pair of wicketkeeping gloves signed by his late father by an Australian fan during the second Test.
Australian Andrew Johns won the gloves in a quiz almost 40 years ago after knowing Bairstow’s dad David, who died in 1998, was England’s reserve keeper during their 1978/79 Ashes tour.
Johns met with Bairstow before day three of the daynight Test and the England wicketkeeper was delighted with the gesture.
He said: “It’s something that is always very special. I’ve been fortunate enough to go all over the world, and all over the world people have some fond stories of dad.
Johns said of his meeting with Bairstow: “We had a good half an hour together which was wonderful. He was quite emotional to receive the gloves. It was really lovely.
“I just lost my father this year in June and I know if someone gave something to me that belonged to my father I’d want it, and that’s what I wanted to do for Jonny.”