Sports · Cricket · 2 hrs ago
Phil Jaques helped lift Steve Smith’s mood during Australia’s South Africa tour
Steve Smith was frustrated during a net session in Durban before Australia’s tour of South Africa began.
The Australian batter was unhappy with his shots and walked past the watching crowd without speaking.
Former teammate Phil Jaques was among the people watching, and Smith stopped for a chat after noticing him.
The two men both came through Sutherland District Cricket Club, where Jaques first saw Smith play as a teenager.
Smith had raised questions about his future before the South Africa series, but no details about those questions are given.
Jaques now runs a private cricket academy and says he enjoys helping develop younger players.
Australia won the first series match by 214 runs, and Jaques spoke with the writer at a barbecue in Durban afterwards.
Steve Smith appeared frustrated during a net session at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban just before Australia’s South Africa tour began.
He seemed to lift from his mood after spotting former teammate Phil Jaques among the people watching.
Smith and Jaques both came through the Sutherland District Cricket Club.
Jaques was in South Africa providing expert analysis for the ABC.
Smith had raised questions about his future before the South Africa series.
- Who
- Steve Smith and former Australian Test opener Phil Jaques.
- What
- Jaques’s presence appeared to lift Smith’s mood after a difficult net session.
- When
- Just before Australia’s South Africa tour began earlier in October.
- Where
- Kingsmead Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
- Why
- Smith was frustrated by a scratchy net session; the article says spotting a familiar face seemed to shake him from his mood.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Smith had a difficult net session at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.
Smith spotted Jaques among the people watching and was up for a chat with his former teammate.
Jaques spoke with the article’s writer over a beer and braai at a barbecue in Durban.
- Location
- Kingsmead Stadium, Durban
- Former teammate
- Phil Jaques
- Club connection
- Sutherland District Cricket Club
- Australia’s result
- 214-run win
- Jaques’s role in South Africa
- Expert analysis for the ABC
1 source
What people are saying
The thing that impressed me most was how quickly he could take on information. He could hear it and go out and implement it immediately
Maybe. That would be nice
I love coaching. I love giving back to the game and helping develop the next generation of players
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