Australia v New Zealand: Steve Smith record slow start, Josh Hazlewood injury comeback
QUICK SINGLES: Steve Smith is used to getting a standing ovation from the fans - but this one might’ve surprised the run-machine. WATCH THE CLASSIC VISION INSIDE.
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One of the highlights of day one at the SCG was Steve Smith saluting the crowd after receiving a Bronx cheer when he finally got off the mark.
Continuing his one-on-one war of attrition with Kiwi quick Neil Wagner, Smith ducked, dodged and weaved for 39 balls until finally hitting his first run.
Receiving the type of cheer reserved for a half-century, Smith cheekily acknowledged his home crowd after also getting a friendly pat on the back from his nemesis Wagner.
WATCH THE HILARIOUS FOOTAGE IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
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Feared extinct, the famous beer snake yesterday returned to the SCG.
A week after the MCG fun police kicked out All Blacks star Jordie Barrett for sculling a beer - fans were allowed to have some fun in the sun in Sydney.
It wouldn’t be a Test at the SCG without the beer snake, and late on day one a frenzy of snakes broke out in the outer with fans seizing on the fully recyclable plastic cups.
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Injured Australian quick Josh Hazlewood was spotted watching day one of the Sydney Test from the Cricket NSW box at the SCG.
The big fella happily walked in with punters before making his way to the corporate suite for a rare grandstand view.
Hazlewood is expected to make his return to cricket on Sunday when the Sydney Sixers clash with Adelaide Strikers in Coffs Harbour.
He survived a searching session in the SCG nets with the Australian team earlier in the week.
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NRL star Jake Trbojevic was stunned to receive a personal phone call from Australian cricket coach Justin Langer after making the trip to the SCG to present a Sea Eagles jersey.
Leaving the State of Origin star speechless, Langer called to thank him for giving Test team manager Jake Dovey a signed jumper to celebrate his 100th Test with the Australian team.
Trbojevic was left further chuffed when Langer invited both him and brother Tom to join the entire Test team for a beer in the sheds at stumps.
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Manly have another high-profile link to the Australian cricket team with CA CEO Kevin Roberts revealing his primary school teacher was none other than Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler.
Once a full-time teacher and aspiring coach, Hasler was Roberts’ year five teacher at St Pius X College, Chatswood.
Hasler must have been a decent teacher given how high Roberts has climbed.
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There were no surprises for Dave Warner on Friday when he faced shock Kiwi inclusion Will Somerville.
The Kiwi spinner – parachuted into the New Zealand team at the 11th hour amid an illness crisis – was Warner’s under-21s club cricket teammate at Easts.
Both Eastern Suburbs products, Sommerville also played alongside Warner in his first-grade debut.
The MCG has bounced back from having a Sheffield Shield match abandoned last month for an unsafe pitch with the ICC giving the famous venue a big red tick.
In a much-needed boost for both the ground and the curator, the ICC rated the Boxing Day pitch as “very good”.
Originally published as Australia v New Zealand: Steve Smith record slow start, Josh Hazlewood injury comeback