Steve Smith denies using lip balm on ball as Australia lose series to England

Steve Smith

Australia captain Steve Smith shut down one controversy and stoked another as his side slipped to a third straight one-day defeat against England. As well as surrendering the series with a 16-run defeat Smith had an eventful day at the SCG yesterday, given out after a disputed catch by Jos Buttler as he attempted in vain to reel in a target of 303.

He was also called to explain television pictures which showed him rubbing his mouth and then the ball, with England's Barmy Army Twitter account suggesting he may have used lip balm to alter the condition of the Kookaburra.

Smith was quick to plead innocence too. "There's nothing in it," he said. "People said something about lip balm but if you look at my lips they're pretty dry, I certainly didn't have any of that on. It's just the way I get some spit into the side of my mouth and on to the ball."

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