Smith forced to await his chance on Australia return
Australia (77-0) trail Derbyshire (172) by 95 runs
His only contribution to the day’s action was an over of innocuous spin, but the very fact that Steve Smith is back on a cricket field was the most significant development for Australia at stumps on the opening evening of their tour match against Derbyshire.
Listed to come in at No4 on his return from the Jofra Archerinduced concussion that ruled him out of the epic third Test, Smith is yet to get an opportunity, with Marcus Harris (52) and Usman Khawaja (18) seeing Australia to 77 without loss in reply to Derbyshire’s 172.
It is likely that one of the two openers here will have to make way for Smith, certain to return to a side who lost in heartbreaking fashion at Leeds, the series now level at one apiece with two Tests to play. For Khawaja’s part, he is leading the Australian XI this week in the absence of Tim Paine, the captain resting after a taxing week.
Paine was on hand, however, to talk for the team at the close. “Someone from the last Test is going to miss out,” Paine said matter-of-factly about the stakes for the batsmen in this fixture. “You have the best player in the world coming back into your line-up. This tour game is important for guys to make sure that you’re keeping your name up in front of the selectors. That’s what we want. We want selectors to have to make difficult decisions.”
In terms of recovering from the shock of the inspirational lastwicket stand of 76 by Ben Stokes and Jack Leach that gave England victory on Sunday, a result that has driven ample criticism of Paine, the captain insists the tourists have bounced back well after “honest conversations” in the group.
“We made some errors as a team and as individuals, but we can’t be holding on to that,” he said. “We’re in the middle of a massive series and it can happen. We’ve moved on. We’re ready for Manchester and the group’s in a really good spot. We weren’t given any chance of winning without Steve Smith, so we’re tracking OK.”
Seamer Michael Neser was the best of the Australian bowlers at Derby, taking three early wickets. Mitchell Starc later issued a reminder of his explosive tendencies by claiming three wickets in an over. Peter Siddle, meanwhile, bowled Leus du Plooy – Derbyshire’s top scorer – for 86, his eight overs going for just 11 runs.
But this morning, all eyes will again be back on Smith. The local bowlers might have a long shift ahead of them.