England's Barmy Army taunted stand-in Australia captain Steve Smith as he walked to the crease in the first Ashes Test at Perth. Australia led off with a cautious start after winning the toss and batting first, with Australia dismissed for 172.
Smith has long been a villain for England's passionate supporters, often shining with the bat and heightening the series tension. Following his former role as permanent Australia captain, his tenure ended after the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, an emotional moment for Smith as he apologized on live television.
The injury to Pat Cummins opened a temporary pathway for Smith to lead again, but the Barmy Army remained unforgiving. As Smith approached the crease, travelling fans were met with loud chants of “We saw you cry on the tele.”
Smith is a familiar pantomime villain, and more taunts are anticipated throughout the series as England seeks a dramatic response on home soil.
Авторское резюме: Английские болельщики продолжают переключаться на Смитта, повторяя ироничные выкрики на фоне его возвращения к капитанству и напряженной серии Ashes.