The Steve Smith scuffing story is little more than dust | Geoff Lemon

Smith’s history of cheating will always invite scrutiny but accusations still need enough substance to stand up

As India saw out the final moments of a remarkable Test draw with Australia in Sydney on Monday, former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag posted a video on Twitter. Clipped from stump camera footage, it showed an Australian fielder walking to the empty batting crease and scraping his foot across the pitch, before an Indian batsman entered to resume play.

“Tried all tricks including Steve Smith trying to remove [Rishabh] Pant’s batting guard marks from the crease,” Sehwag wrote. His 20 million followers blew it up, and the disdain was reflected by media outlets and cricket people especially across India and England.

Related: Justin Langer, Tim Paine defend Steve Smith over crease-scuffing claim

Tried all tricks including Steve Smith trying to remove Pant's batting guard marks from the crease. Par kuch kaam na aaya. Khaaya peeya kuch nahi, glass toda barana.
But I am so so proud of the effort of the Indian team today. Seena chonda ho gaya yaar. pic.twitter.com/IfttxRXHeM

The detail is not captured in a 30-second internet clip with inflammatory framing

Related: India reportedly complain to Cricket Australia about Brisbane Test hotel

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