'One of the worst dismissals' - Former England players lash out at Jamie Smith for SCG shot

England wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith has come under heavy criticism from all quarters for his shot that led to his dismissal in the first innings of the Sydney Test on Monday, January 5.

England were 323/5 and moving along nicely as the sixth-wicket partnership between Joe Root and Smith was worth 94 runs. With just six more overs to go before the new ball was due and four more before the Lunch break on Day 2, Australian captain Steve Smith brought part-timer Marnus Labuschagne into the attack.

The 31-year-old decided to bowl medium pace over leg spin. As it appeared, he had planned to bowl short to both the batters. Off the fourth legitimate ball of the over, Smith backed off and had a wild swipe at a high short ball only to find Scott Boland take a comfortable catch running in from deep cover.

Joe Root, who scored his first red-ball century in Australia, was batting on 129 when Smith was dismissed. The star batter, ultimately, finished at 160 and England went from 323/5 to 384 all out.

Considering the situation, Smith's decision to attack Labuschagne has come under fire. Former England captain Nasser Hussain wondered if it were the team's worst dismissal of the series and analysed the reasoning behind the shot more than the shot itself.

“Was it England’s worst dismissal of the series? It was right up there. It was a really poor shot, not just because of the execution and because Labuschagne was bowling. It was nine minutes until lunch and five overs until the new ball. Just survive and go again,” said Hussain.

Another former England skipper Michael Atherton also termed the Smith wicket as one of the worst he has seen.

"Witless... In all the time, I can't think I have seen a worst dismissal from an England batsman," said Atherton.

Former Australian opener Justin Langer, who has coached the England keeper at London Spirit, called it "one of the dumbest shots you will ever see in Test cricket".

Former England fast bowler Steven Finn labelled it as "brainless" while former left-arm spinner Alex Hartley termed it as "filthy" and "disgusting".

England guilty of poor shots in Ashes 2025-26

Smith's poor shot at the SCG is not the first incidence of an England batter playing a wild shot in a situation which demanded caution and stability. In fact, Smith himself was guilty of it in the second innings of the third Test in Adelaide. After hitting four consecutive boundaries off Mitchell Starc, the Englishman attempted to go for the fifth but skied a back-of-a-length delivery to wide mid-on for a catch.

Other England batters - Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley, among others - have given away their wickets at various crucial stages, too, in the series which explains why the team is behind in the series.