Earlier England fans had lashed out at the right-handed batsman and accused him of mocking the glasses-wearing Jack Leach, who helped England win the third Test at Headingley.
Australia's captain Tim Paine (L) and Australia's Steve Smith (R). (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
Former Australia captain Steve Smith, who returned to international cricket after a year-ban following the ball-tampering incident, muzzled the hooting England fans with the prowess of his bat.
But the heydays for Smith couldn’t last long as the England fans are at war again with the 30-year-old after pictures emerged of a bespectacled Steve Smith celebrating the fourth Test win at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.
The England fans lashed out at the right-hander and accused him of mocking the glasses-wearing Jack Leach, who helped England win the third Test at Headingley.
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However, Australia head coach Justin Langer has come out in defense of his players. He further clarified that Steve Smith was not mocking Jack Leach but was instead mimicking Chris Rogers, who last donned Australian jersey in 2015.
“I was there, I know the truth, they were talking about Chris Rogers who was here four years ago,” Langer told reporters on Tuesday.
“Chris Rogers is a great mate of the squad, that’s what it was about. People can make of it what they like. We can’t do anything of what people make of it.
“Experience tells me when you’re doing well people try and pick holes in you. That’s OK, that’s life.
“Everyone in this room, around the world, has seen the great spirit the World Cup and this series is played in. People can make of it what they like but that’s the truth,” he added.
Langer, who was part of the Australian squad which dominated World Cricket in 1990s and 2000s, joked that the present team win celebration was not at all impressive.
“That celebration was two out of 10 to some of the ones I have seen because we knew we had to play three days later,” he said.
“When you have a good day you have to celebrate it as long as you move on and get ready for the next one.
“There is a good feeling in the group. They know there is still unfinished business and we are looking forward to this last Test match,” he added.
Meanwhile, Australia are expected to stick with David Warner as opener even though he has reached the double-figure mark just one time in eight innings.
“He (Warner) hasn’t got the runs he’d like at the moment but I’m looking forward to it when he does. There’s no better place in the world to bat than the Oval. Looking forward to seeing him go well this week,” Langer added.
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