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Jamie Smith slammed for 'dumbest shot' by Justin Langer after costly dismissal at SCG

Akshita Patel

Justin Langer hits out at Jamie Smith [Source:@mufaddal_vohra, @cricketontnt/X.com]Justin Langer hits out at Jamie Smith [Source:@mufaddal_vohra, @cricketontnt/X.com]

Jamie Smith’s moment of madness turned what should have been a strong England position into a talking point for all the wrong reasons. His soft dismissal led to an explosive rant from ex-Australian cricketer Justin Langer, who called him ‘dumb.’

England were building something meaningful on day two of the fifth Ashes 2025 Test at SCG. 

Joe Root had just completed a majestic 160, equalling the record for most Test centuries by an English batter. With Smith settled on 41 and wickets in hand, the visitors looked well placed to push their total beyond 450. 

Justin Langer rants on air to slam Jamie Smith’s brainfade

Instead, one rash shot changed the momentum completely. Australia introduced part-time bowler Marnus Labuschagne into the attack due to a lack of front-line spinners. 

Bowling a short ball outside off stump at a modest pace, Labuschagne offered Jamie Smith a chance to simply ride the bounce or wait it out. 

Smith did neither. He charged at the ball and attempted an aggressive off-side slog, only to mistime it horribly. Scott Boland barely had to move at deep cover as the ball dropped straight into his hands. 

The reaction to his false shot was instant and brutal. Former Australia coach Justin Langer did not hold back on commentary, calling it “one of the dumbest shots you’ll ever see in Test cricket.” 

"What I do know is not for the first time in this series, Jamie Smith has played one of the dumbest shots you’ll ever see in Test cricket. He was lucky earlier; he had a very soft dismissal off a no-ball to Cameron Green. Test cricket goes for five days; this is dumb cricket. Marnus Labuschagne is pumped,” Langer said during commentary.

Speechless Langer calls Jamie 'rubbish'

Justin Langer further pointed out that Smith had already been reprieved earlier due to a no-ball and failed to learn from the warning. He added how Jamie Smith should've been more mindful given England's situation in the Ashes 2025 series.

"I'm speechless. Look, Jamie is a terrific young bloke. But in that circumstance leading up to the new ball, that's what Marnus Labuschagne is going to do. It's just beyond comprehension. If I'm a Test batter, fighting for my spot in the team, fighting for some pride for England to get 3-2 in the series, knowing that they've to get through Starc and Boland on this wicket, I didn't get it. I've been critical of Jamie and my thinking is not going to change after that dismissal. I'm just trying to be nice here. That was rubbish," Langer told TNT.

Not only that, but the most telling reaction came from Graeme Swann. The former England spinner was so stunned that he buried his face in his hands, a silent expression of disbelief.

Joe Roof defends Jamie Smith

Amid heavy backlash, Joe Root has come out strongly in defence of Jamie Smith. Root admitted the shot was frustrating but stressed that no one was more upset than Smith himself. 

He praised Jamie’s hard work and said players must be trusted to make positive decisions under pressure.

"There's no one more frustrated than the guy who's lost his wicket. The guy's worked incredibly hard and you're trying to find the best way possible to get to where you want to get to. I understand why people see the game differently and there are times when you have to be able to absorb pressure and understand at different moments when to put it back on," Root told media.

Root added that while opinions will differ, he fully supports Jamie Smith taking similar chances in future matches. Meanwhile, at stumps on day two, Australia are 166/2 with a 218-run trail to cover.