Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized star batsmen Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne for their dismissals during the final session of Day 2.
After taking a first-innings lead of 26, Australia seemed to be in a strong position at 68-1 in their second innings. However, Labuschagne played an ill-advised slog sweep and was caught by the deep midwicket fielder, losing his wicket for 33.
A couple of overs later, Smith played an uncharacteristic shot, flicking a full delivery straight into the hands of the mid-wicket fielder.
Speaking to Cricbuzz at the end of Day 2, Vaughan expressed surprise at the lack of concentration displayed by the two most reliable batsmen, which allowed the hosts to regain control of the Test match.
“Australia will reflect on two key moments. Their main players, Smith and Labuschagne, giving their wickets to Moeen Ali. There was nothing in the pitch for the spinners, and Ali did a great job holding up one end, which is his role,” he said.
Vaughan also noted that it was unusual to see Steve Smith looking uncomfortable at the crease.
“However, to see Smith and Labuschagne getting out to Moeen Ali on that pitch, I have never seen them throw away their wickets like that. Especially Steve Smith, I have never seen him appear so unsettled when he came to the crease,” Vaughan added.
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Despite being the Player of the Match in the previous Test, Smith failed to make an impact in both innings of his 100th Test, scoring only 24 runs in total.
His potential successor, Labuschagne, has struggled throughout the series to convert starts into big scores, evident from his average of just 24 with no half-centuries.
Michael Vaughan also highlighted the role played by Moeen Ali, who bowled several tight overs at the start of his spell, which led to the dismissals of the star Australian batsmen.
The off-spinner conceded only 14 runs in his first six overs before picking up the wicket of Labuschagne in his seventh over. He then dismissed an unsettled Smith in his next over, finally making an impact in the series.
“The Australians allowed Moeen to bowl too many good overs early on. I thought as soon as he came on to bowl, they would try to attack him. But they let him settle and suddenly Marnus felt the need to accelerate, and he had that slice of luck with Jonny Bairstow,” Vaughan said. “I thought he would go on to score big and be not out at stumps with a century,” he added. “To see him get out so softly and then witness Smith follow suit just a couple of overs later, it was a significant shift in momentum in the Test match.”
These two dismissals gave Moeen Ali his 200th Test wicket and brought England back into the contest. At the end of Day 2, Australia were 116/4, holding a lead of 142, with first-innings heroes Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh at the crease.