On This Day — Steve Smith Shines on Debut with 3 Wickets as Australia Defeat Pakistan at Lord’s

Back then, he was picked mainly as a leg-spinner and impressed by taking 3 wickets in the second innings on 16th July. However, over time, he transformed himself from a bowler into one of Australia’s finest batsmen, solving problems with the bat in tough conditions. In that match, Australia defeated Pakistan by 150 runs, thanks to strong batting from Simon Katich and smart bowling from Marcus North and Smith. It was the beginning of something special.

Australia vs Pakistan: 1st Test from 13th-16th July

Starting his Test career, Steven Smith made his debut in the 1st Test between Australia and Pakistan at Lord’s from July 13-16, 2010, alongside Tim Paine, Azhar Ali, and Umar Amin. Australia won by 150 runs, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Simon Katich (80 and 83) and Salman Butt (63 and 92) were named Players of the Match.

Australia 1st Innings

Australia’s first innings began cautiously after Pakistan opted to bowl on a bowler-friendly Lord’s pitch. Shane Watson fell early for 4, bowled by Mohammad Amir in the 5th over. Simon Katich anchored the innings with a patient 80 off 138 balls, hitting 9 fours, showing grit against a probing Pakistan attack. Ricky Ponting, the captain, scored a brisk 26 off 39 balls with 4 fours before Mohammad Amir dismissed him, caught by Umar Amin.

Michael Clarke contributed 47 off 77 balls, with 8 fours, forming a crucial 120-run partnership with Katich before being trapped lbw by Mohammad Asif. Katich soon followed, caught behind off Asif, and Marcus North fell for a duck, leaving Australia at 174/5. Tim Paine (7) and Steven Smith (1) couldn’t add much, falling to Umar Gul and Danish Kaneria, respectively.

Michael Hussey remained unbeaten on 56 off 100 balls, including 8 fours and a six, providing stability. Mitchell Johnson (3), Ben Hilfenhaus (1), and Doug Bollinger (4) fell cheaply to Amir and Kaneria, with Amir taking 4/72 and Asif 3/63. Australia were bowled out for 253 in 76.5 overs at a run rate of 3.29, with 24 extras (10 byes, 2 leg byes, 10 no-balls, 2 wides). The innings saw early promise, but Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Amir’s pace and Asif’s accuracy, kept the pressure on.

Umar Gul’s economical 1/32 and Kaneria’s 2/49 ensured Australia couldn’t build a massive total, though Hussey’s defiance and Katich’s resilience gave them a fighting score. The fall of wickets showed Pakistan’s ability to strike regularly, with five dismissals between the 42nd and 65th overs, exposing Australia’s middle order. By the close of day one, Australia were 229/9, with Hussey and Bollinger at the crease, setting the stage for Pakistan’s response.

Pakistan 1st Innings

Pakistan’s first innings was a struggle, as they collapsed to 148 in 40.5 overs at 3.62 runs per over. Imran Farhat fell for 4, caught by Tim Paine off Ben Hilfenhaus. Salman Butt played a fine knock of 63 off 94 balls, with 12 fours, anchoring the innings. Azhar Ali scored 16 off 43 balls before Hilfenhaus had him caught behind. Umar Amin (1) and Umar Akmal (5) fell quickly to Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson, respectively, leaving Pakistan at 75/4. Kamran Akmal was out for a duck, lbw to Watson, who then dismissed Shahid Afridi for a quickfire 31 off 15 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes, caught by Johnson.

Mohammad Amir (0) and Umar Gul (7) were dismissed by Doug Bollinger, while Butt’s resistance ended when Watson bowled him. Danish Kaneria scored 14, but Watson trapped him, finishing with 5/40. Mohammad Asif remained not out on 4. Australia’s bowlers were relentless, with Hilfenhaus (2/37) and Bollinger (2/38) maintaining tight lines, and Watson’s medium pace proving surprisingly effective. Pakistan’s innings lasted 186 minutes, with 3 extras (2 leg byes, 1 no-ball). The fall of wickets was rapid, with six dismissals between the 26th and 37th overs, highlighting Pakistan’s brittle batting.

Afridi’s aggressive cameo briefly lifted spirits, but his dismissal swung momentum back to Australia. Butt’s 63 was the standout, showing composure, but a lack of support from the middle order led to a collapse. By the end of day one, Pakistan’s bowlers had kept Australia in check, but their batting frailties were exposed, giving Australia a 105-run lead. The innings underlined Pakistan’s struggle to adapt to Test cricket’s demands, as noted in commentary about their lack of patience, setting a challenging tone for their second innings with a daunting target looming.

Australia 2nd Innings

Australia’s second innings saw them post 334 in 91 overs at 3.67 runs per over, setting Pakistan a target of 440. Shane Watson scored 31 off 51 balls, with 4 fours and a six, before Mohammad Asif had him caught by Imran Farhat. Ricky Ponting fell for a duck, lbw to Asif, who struck again to dismiss Michael Clarke (12) and Michael Hussey (0) in quick succession, leaving Australia at 97/4. Simon Katich played a composed 83 off 174 balls, with 14 fours, anchoring the innings. Mitchell Johnson added 30 off 54 balls, with 5 fours, before Umar Gul dismissed him.

Marcus North scored 20 before Asif had him caught behind. Tim Paine’s 47 off 85 balls, with 3 fours, and Ben Hilfenhaus’s unbeaten 56 off 84 balls, including 6 fours and a six, bolstered the total. Steven Smith (12) fell lbw to Danish Kaneria, who also dismissed Doug Bollinger (21). Umar Gul led Pakistan’s bowling with 4/61, supported by Asif’s 3/77 and Kaneria’s 2/74. Shahid Afridi took 1/44. The innings included 22 extras (6 byes, 5 leg byes, 9 no-balls, 2 wides). Katich’s steady knock and Hilfenhaus’s unexpected contribution were pivotal, with their late stand pushing Australia past 300.

The fall of wickets showed early trouble, with four down by the 27th over, but partnerships, notably between Katich and Johnson, steadied the ship. By day two’s close, Australia were 100/4, with Katich and Johnson batting. Day three saw them extend the lead, with Hilfenhaus’s resilience frustrating Pakistan. The innings showcased Australia’s depth, as lower-order contributions from Paine and Hilfenhaus ensured a formidable target. Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly Gul, fought hard, but lapses in consistency allowed Australia to build a commanding lead, setting up a challenging chase for Pakistan on a wearing pitch.

Pakistan 2nd Innings

Chasing 440, Pakistan reached 289 in 91.1 overs at 3.17 runs per over, falling 150 runs short. Imran Farhat scored 24 before Steven Smith had him caught by Shane Watson. Salman Butt played a valiant 92 off 173 balls, with 15 fours, forming a 102-run stand with Azhar Ali, who scored 42 off 87 balls before Ben Hilfenhaus dismissed him. Butt fell stumped off Marcus North, who also removed Umar Amin (33) and Umar Akmal (22). Shahid Afridi scored 2 before North had him caught by Michael Hussey.

Kamran Akmal’s 46 off 82 balls, with 6 fours and a six, kept hopes alive, but Smith dismissed him. Mohammad Amir (19) and Akmal added 50 for the seventh wicket, but North struck again, removing Amir and Danish Kaneria (2). Umar Gul (1) fell to Smith, and Mohammad Asif was not out on 1. North was the standout bowler with 6/55, supported by Smith’s 3/51 and Hilfenhaus’s 1/37. Australia’s disciplined attack, with 5 maidens each from Hilfenhaus and Smith, kept Pakistan under pressure.

The innings included 5 extras (2 byes, 1 leg bye, 2 no-balls). Pakistan reached 114/1 by day three’s close, with Butt and Ali looking solid, but rain interrupted play on day four. The chase faltered as North’s spin exploited the wearing pitch, with key wickets falling between the 55th and 68th overs. Butt’s 92 was a highlight, showing fight, but Pakistan’s middle order couldn’t sustain the momentum.

The 50-run partnership for the seventh wicket gave brief hope, but Australia’s bowlers, particularly North’s unexpected haul, sealed the victory. Pakistan’s effort reflected their talent but also their struggle with patience, as noted in match commentary, leading to a collapse that handed Australia a convincing win on July 16, 2010.