Watch, Sheffield Shield | Labuschagne turns all stops to impress Smith with bowling skills ahead of Ashes

‌Steve Smith fine-tuned his batting skills ahead of the much-awaited five-Test Ashes series against England, next month, with a century for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield in Brisbane on Wednesday. He hit 20 fours and a six during his knock of 118, and along with Kurtis Patterson (122) took the side to 429/7 before declaring their innings against Queensland.

The home side, in reply, were placed at 238/4 at the end of the third day’s play with half-centuries from Australian opener Usman Khawaja and Jack Clayton. Though the match is veering towards a draw, it was not without its fair share of excitement as the hosts’ skipper Marnus Labuschagne brought himself up against Smith in a bid to get the prized scalp.

The medium pacer nearly got Smith with one of his inswingers, beating Smith’s bat onto his pads, but the umpire ruled in the negative. Labuschagne was impressive as he brought out the away swingers against a well-settled Smith, who respected his Aussie mate’s incisive bowling.

The Queensland captain, as a last resort, came up with the short ball too, with Smith coming up with an exaggerated demonstration after leaving the ball. Just as it looked that Labuchagne had things under control, his senior mate came up with a scintillating on-drive that flew to the ropes.

Smith was at it again as he gestured something towards the bowler with his hand after playing a forward defensive shot off another outswinger. It was absolute cinema as Labuschagne went the distance to impress Australia’s captain for the first Ashes Test with his bowling skills.

That was some match-up!