Former England captain Nasser Hussain has delivered a scathing assessment of wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith's dismissal on the second day of the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Smith fell for 41 in a manner that left commentators baffled, charging down the pitch to a short ball from part-time bowler Marnus Labuschagne only to be caught at deep cover.
A Costly Dismissal at a Crucial Juncture
The incident occurred just nine minutes before the lunch break and with the new ball due in five overs. England, at 211 for 3 overnight, were building a strong position through a 96-run sixth-wicket partnership between Smith and Joe Root. With Australia having opted not to pick a specialist spinner—a first in 138 years for a Sydney Test—the hosts were relying on the occasional spin of Travis Head and the medium pace of Labuschagne.
Hussain, speaking on Sky Sports, did not mince his words. "It was right up there. It was a really poor shot," he said, highlighting the poor timing and game awareness. "That is the problem with this England side. They have a lot of talent but don't seem to lock on to the situation of the game. Just survive and go again."
Call for Mentorship in the Dressing Room
The criticism extended beyond the single shot. Hussain pointed out that Smith's innings on January 5, 2026, was fraught with risk, suggesting he could have been out multiple times earlier. The former skipper expressed hope that the England management would intervene.
"I hope someone in that dressing room at some stage – maybe not this evening but at the end of the Test – will sit down with him and Harry Brook and say, 'at times in this series, you have not taken the right option'," Hussain stated. Brook himself has been dismissed playing aggressive shots earlier in the series, including a reverse sweep against Nathan Lyon in Adelaide.
Smith, playing his 15th Test, has now gone 15 innings without a century. His last hundred was a brilliant 184 against India at Edgbaston last year. His dismissal in Sydney triggered a collapse; England added only 173 runs to their overnight score, eventually being bowled out. Australia ended day two at 166 for 2, seizing control of the match.
Widespread Condemnation of England's Approach
Hussain was not alone in his critique. Former England pacer Steven Finn, on TNT Sports, called the shot "completely brainless." Meanwhile, ex-captain Michael Vaughan blamed the team's cultural mindset for such dismissals.
"This England team have to start to learn and accept," Vaughan told the BBC. "That is the culture that is being created in this England side and that is why they have failed on this tour. There are times to get on the front foot but when it is so close to lunch and Marnus Labuschagne is bowling bouncers. I cannot accept that. It sums up this England side."
Despite Root's magnificent 160, England's hopes of posting a commanding first-innings total above 450 were dashed. Having already lost the Ashes after losing the first three Tests, Ben Stokes's team had won the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The Sydney performance, however, highlighted persistent questions about the team's tactical flexibility and shot selection under pressure.
