Jonny Bairstow’s sledge against Steve Smith didn’t quite land where it should have, and the incident went viral as a result.
Australia led by 221 runs in the second innings at the end of Day 3 of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s. England faced a disastrous collapse in the first session, adding only 47 runs while losing all six of their remaining wickets as they were bowled out on 325. The England batters’ shot selection was once again a big talking topic, as they were chastised for their aggressive style.
The English players didn’t slack off after the humiliating collapse, as evidenced by wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow’s refusal to back down from sledging one of Australia’s main batters, Steve Smith. Smith, a centurion from the first innings, had just come at the crease, and Bairstow attempted to disturb his focus early; however, the sledge effort failed miserably as Smith failed to understand the English keeper.
Smith shuffled at the crease in his own unorthodox fashion after leaving a delivery from James Anderson, and Bairstow, reaching close to the stump mic, quipped, “I reckon you’re the next on Strictly Australia.” The sledge was a reference to the popular dance show ‘Strictly Come Dancing,’ also known colloquially as ‘Strictly’ in the United Kingdom.
However, the sledge didn’t quite hit the mark because the show is dubbed ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in Australia. Smith, understandably, couldn’t figure it out right away, so he asked Bairstow, “What’s that?”
Bairstow then answered, “Bit of dancing for you,” to which Smith replied, “Wouldn’t have thought so.”
Interestingly, the criticism came a day after Kevin Pietersen said the English players were too friendly with the Australians.
“It’s all too easy and all too nice.” Are you telling me Ricky Ponting will be chatting to Geraint Jones in 2005? Do you believe Michael Vaughan will be standing next to Justin Langer and saying, ‘great mate, what a cool day…’?
“Are you kidding? Are you serious? “I just hope they’re in that dressing room now and the England coach is giving them the biggest hammering and saying ‘it’s not good enough, it’s absolutely not good enough!'” Pietersen had stated.
