Footy great lays into Aussie cricket hero branding him the most ‘SELF-ABSORBED athlete we have’

Kane Cornes didn’t hold back in his brutal appraisal of Steve Smith after the Australian cricketer endured a game to forget during New South Wales‘ defeat by Victoria earlier this week.

The star Aussie batsman scored a meagre three runs across two innings at the MCG.

In what was his first Shield game in nearly five years, the NSW batter came in at No 3 during the first innings but would score a meagre three runs from 29 balls before being caught out by Sam Harper off Fergus O’Neill.

His woes would continue into day three, with Scott Boland dismissing the former Australia captain for lbw, with a stunning in-swinger.

Smith, who has been criticised previously for failing to accept dismissals, looked down at the pitch shaking his head before ambling his way back into the sheds.

Cornes took aim at Smith on Wednesday, lashing out at the batter claiming ‘it’s never his fault’.

‘There’s some things that I’ve been very right on and things that I’ve been very wrong on in a media career, but one of them (being right) is that Steve Smith is just the most self-absorbed Australian athlete that we have,’ Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.

‘It’s never his fault. He leaves a straight ball that’s going to smash into the stumps. I reckon you should use your bat if it’s close to the stumps.

‘He leaves one. And then it’s the umpire’s fault. It’s never, ever his fault. He tickles one down leg side it’s the umpire’s fault. Or if he misses it’s the pitch’s fault.

‘This is the former captain of the side… what a shocking example. Can’t have it. I’m sorry.’

It was a comeback to forget for Smith, but there was some speculation that the batsman had been a little unlucky with the decision.

‘If this is the level of umpiring in Australia, then everyone knows the result of BGT,’ one wrote on X.

Another added: ‘Wait what? Pitching way outside off, might be just nicking off stump, Sheffield shield don’t have DRS?’

Kane Cornes didn’t hold back when giving his verdict of Steve Smith’s performance over the weekend

But Boland was adamant that the umpire had made the correct call.

‘They can talk about it all they want,’ Boland said.

‘I thought it was out. It only has to hit the stumps when you don’t use your bat like that.’

Smith had revealed to reporters on Monday that he was feeling good after a long spell away with Australia’s T20 side.

Prior to that, Smith had led Washington Freedom to the Major League Cricket Title in July.

‘I’ve played a lot of cricket now and feel good,’ Smith said to reporters after the first innings.

“I’ll see how the second innings goes and talk to the powers that be and see what they think is best, but I think they’ll trust my preparation also.

‘I’ve played for a long time and know what I need now. There are obviously going to be some good centre wickets with our boys bowling in Perth, in similar conditions to what you’re going to get at Optus Stadium. (It’s) probably going to be enough.’

In January, Smith was criticised for his behaviour following his dismissal at the SCG during Australia’s third test against Pakistan.

The 35-year-old was caught out for 38 by Babar Azam and similarly appeared to stare down at the ground in disbelief at the dismissal.

Smith wsa left shaking his head and staring down at the ground after he was dismissed by Scott Boland

Some fans claimed on social media that Smith was unlucky to have been given out 

Adam White claimed earlier this year that Smith needed to stop looking at the pitch in ‘disbelief’ after he was dismissed 

His reaction drew some criticism on social media, with Adam White writing on X: ‘Smith and particularly Labuschagne must be better at getting off the field quickly after being dismissed. Bowlers are allowed to bowl good balls or set good fields that get you out.

‘Standing there in disbelief like: “How could you possibly get me out,” isn’t a good look.’