Steve Smith’s spectacular catch can’t hide costly drops by Hazlewood, Cummins

STEVE Smith’s spectacular one-handed hanger was the one highlight on another Jekyll and Hyde day for Australia’s fielding.

Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood dropped sitters at the SCG. Pic: Brett Costello

STEVE Smith’s spectacular one-handed hanger was the one highlight on another Jekyll and Hyde day for Australia’s fielding.

Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood put down costly sitters that allowed England’s tail to wag, but the pain of those drops was mitigated by the skipper taking a screamer.

Smith hasn’t had a great summer with the hands – dropping Alastair Cook twice on his way to 244 not out in Melbourne – but he took a chance that confirmed his skill as one of the world’s best and most athletic slip fieldsmen.

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Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood dropped sitters at the SCG. Pic: Brett Costello

After grassing a particularly tough chance from England batsman Dawid Malan on day one, Smith got his man – as he instinctively timed his grab at third slip off the bowling of Mitchell Starc.

It was reminiscent of two absolute classics he took at the SCG in a one-dayer last summer against New Zealand.

But Smith’s glue-like grip contrasted with the cement hands of Cummins and Hazlewood – normally outstanding outfielders who suffered forgettable moments in back-to-back overs.

“He’s got a big bruise on his chest.” Cummins said about Hazlewood’s dropped chance.

On his own miss he said: “It’s a tough seeing ground here, I know it’s not a great excuse. Sometimes you just don’t pick them up that well.”

Tom Curran was dropped by Cummins at mid-on for 21, leaving a frustrated Nathan Lyon kicking the dirt in disgust.

Hazlewood topped the effort of Cummins just two deliveries later

Then a few balls later Cummins found himself on the receiving end when Moeen Ali skied one up only for Hazlewood to cover the ground easily but barely get a finger on it as he tried to catch it too close to his chest.

Moeen only added eight more to his score, but Curran almost doubled his on his way to a crucial 39 not out.

England were on their knees at 6-251 when Smith caught Malan, but the embarrassing drops allowed the tourists to add almost another 100 to their total by the time they were bowled out for 346.

According to CSW stats, Smith has dropped three catches this summer, with Tim Paine and Cameron Bancroft two each.

Nathan Lyon has had a stunning five catches dropped off his bowling.