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Steve Smith loses his head as child on the run halts play

Australian vice-captain Steve Smith was unsettled in never seen before scenes as the Aussie top order once again capitulated.

Another Test, even more headaches for Australian selectors after yet another top order collapse against the West Indies.

Skipper Pat Cummins won the toss at Grenada’s National Cricket Stadium and chose to bat first with the Aussies clawing their way to be all out for 286.

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Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja built a 47-run stand before the West Indies grabbed control with three wickets in the blink of an eye.

Khawaja (16) was the first to go after being trapped on the crease before Konstas (25) departed in the very next over after being caught behind.

Vice-captain Steve Smith then strolled to the crease but quickly lost his head thanks to a wandering child.

As Alzarri Joseph stood at the top of his mark, Smith was gesturing wildly to fans in the stand above the sidescreen.

A child had decided he’d had enough of sitting around and went for a wander before he was collected by an adult and the game got going again.

But the moment unsettled Smith who with the very next delivery attempted a pull shot that sailed high into the sky before being caught by Anderson Phillip.

Steve Smith was not happy.
Steve Smith was not happy.
An adult comes rushing in to collect the child.
An adult comes rushing in to collect the child.

Smith’s departure saw the Aussies lose three wickets for only three runs with the failures of the top three becoming a glaring issue for the Aussies with Fox Sports’ Nic Savage pointing out just how bleak things are.

Over the past four years, the averages of the Australian top three have fallen off a cliff:

2022 — 45.94

2023 — 39.64

2024 — 27.82

2025 — 26.53

The opening session got worst just before the lunch break for the Aussies when Cameron Green (25) was sent on his way after swinging wildly and getting caught behind.

The heavens then opened up and delayed play, but when play got back underway the misery continued for the Aussies with Travis Head the next to go.

A rising delivery from Shamar Joseph caught Head by surprise with the ball deflecting off his gloves into the hands of wicketkeeper Shai Hope.

Midway through the opening day of play the Aussies found themselves stranded at 5/110 with Beau Webster and Alex Carey at the crease.

Thankfully for the top order the duo quickly set about regaining the momentum as they went after the West Indies bowlers.

Alex Carey put the Aussies back on track with a potent counter punch with Beau Webster. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Alex Carey put the Aussies back on track with a potent counter punch with Beau Webster. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Carey was in complete control at the crease as he needed only 68 deliveries to bring up his half-century with the pair getting to the tea break with a 99-run partnership.

Sadly the Aussie keeper wasn’t able to convert his promising display into a century after pulling a short delivery straight to the fielder at mid-wicket and walking off after notching 63 runs and ending his partnership with Webster at 112-runs.

Skipper Pat Cummins came out guns blazing as he blasted three quick boundaries before Alzarri Joseph got one through the gate and skittled his stumps after 17 runs.

Webster attempted to lift the tail order but came unstuck when he was caught short and run out on 60.

The end finally came when Nathan Lyon was caught behind off the bowling of Joseph who finished with 4/61.

Australia will start the second day of play with the ball in hand as they look to defend their first innings total.

Originally published as Steve Smith loses his head as child on the run halts play

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/cricket/australian-top-order-collapse-in-latest-horror-show-vs-west-indies/news-story/610158edbe6518c40ec6f5039e9fbe47