ENG vs AUS, Ashes 2025-26: Steve Smith Under Fire For His Delaying Tactics During Day 1 Of Brisbane Test

England vs Australia 2nd Test: The delaying tactics of Steve Smith on Day 1 of the 2nd Test have brought him under immense criticism, with only 74 overs being bowled out of the mandatory quota of 90. Notably, the game was pushed for half an hour to make up for the lost time, but to no avail.

74 overs bowled in a day was the lowest in a full day’s play in Australia. Commentators appointed for the ongoing series felt that the step taken by the Australia captain was an attempt to avoid facing English bowlers before the close of play. Interestingly, England were just one wicket away from getting bowled out. Also, a brand new pink ball would have made life difficult for batters under lights.

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“To think we are going to get through an extra half-hour, so six and a half hours’ cricket, and we are going to get 74 overs in," former cricketer Simon Katich said, as quoted by Fox Cricket. “It’s beyond a joke, an absolute joke."

During his commentary gig for TNT Sports, England pacer Steven Finn asked if the umpires could step in.

“Smith took a long time to set the field there … he’s now changing the field between balls," Finn said on TNT Sports. “Certainly strikes me that this is a good time for Australia to be delaying things. Means that if this last wicket does fall, each minute that goes by, it’s a minute that England won’t have that bright pink ball in their hand in these conditions. Definitely a tactic here, and the umpires should have a word with him. Every second that ticks by, Australia will have fewer seconds to bat this evening. It really is obvious."

Former Australia captain Mark Waugh called the passage of play 'unacceptable': “I don’t think it was acceptable at the end (of the day). We know what (Smith) was trying to do. He didn’t want to face any overs … but the umpires have got to step in then, when you’re deliberately slowing the game down. Anyone can see that, if you’re got half a brain, you can see it happening."

Until 2023, this attempt by any captain could have resulted in fines and loss of important World Test Championship (WTC) points. However, in 2023, the ICC changed its rules to exempt innings under 80 overs from over-rate penalties.

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As a result, Australia had six overs on Friday morning to claim England's last wicket. Notably, Australia missed the 2021 WTC final due to an over-rate penalty from the 2020 Boxing Day Test.