Steve Smith edges out David Warner in massive day in Coogee
STEVE Smith came out on top in his clash with David Warner at Coogee Oval after the two banished batsmen combined for a one-two knockout win in the publicity war to be reinstated to the national team.
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STEVE Smith came out on top in his super heavyweight clash with David Warner at Coogee Oval after the two banished batsmen combined for a one-two knockout win in the publicity war to be reinstated to the national team.
While Cricket Australia lurches from one disaster to the next, the country’s two premier batsmen put the game back in the spotlight after featuring in one of the biggest matches ever played in the Sydney grade competition.
With their families watching from behind the boundary fence, the ugly fallout from the ball tampering scandal seemed a million miles away as both players happily mingled with the big crowd after their respective innings.
Smith triumphed in their head-to-head batting duel when he made a patient 48 for Sutherland after the explosive Warner fell cheaply with just 13 runs to his name.
Sutherland also won the limited-overs first grade match by three wickets with two balls to spare after overhauling Randwick Petersham’s total of 8-267.
Batting at three, Smith hit just two boundaries before he lost his wicket just when he looked set for a bigger score.
Warner also spanked just two boundaries off the 16 balls he faced before he cut a wide ball from Steve Waugh’s son Austin straight to Dan Fallins at backward point who held a sharp catch.
Both men trudged back to the pavilion, shaking their heads almost apologetically, before spending time signing autographs and mingling with the crowd.
Former test all-rounder Shane Watson was in devastating form for Sutherland, smashing five fours and five sixes before he was caught at deep square for 63 off just 41 balls.
Smith bowled 10 overs and picked up the vital wicket of English import Daniel Bell-Drummond, who made a stylish 106 from 130 deliveries in his first match since arriving in Australia for the summer.
“The buzz around this match has been unbelievable,” Randwick Petersham club president Mike Whitney told The Telegraph.
“When do people ever get to see the Australian captain and vice-captain playing grade cricket. It may never happen again.”
Echoing the thoughts of the many people who think the 12-month bans handed down to the pair were too tough, Whitney said the overwhelming positive response to their appearances was proof the public wanted them back in the national side.
“They made an error of judgment and they’ve admitted that but they’ve already paid a big enough penalty,” Whitney said.
“I’ve known both David and Steve for years and the way they have responded has been great. I think if there’s anything positive to come out of it that may have been it and them playing in club cricket has been fantastic.
“David can be a polarizing figure but he’s a winner he wants to win the game and he wants to perform in every game.”
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