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Xtra Time Web Desk: Star Australian batsman Steve Smith on Monday dragged himself in yet another controversy. The former Aussie captain was caught scruffing the batting marks of Rishabh Pant during the final day of the third test match at SCG. The incident created quite a stir on the social media as the fans started labeling Smith as a cheat.

During the drinks break in the first session of the finak day, Smith was caught doing shadow bat on the pitch and was scruffing the batting marks left by Rishabh Pant. The Indian wicket keeper batsman had to take guard all over again.

Although the stump camera did not catch Smith’s face but the jersey number 49 does indicate it was him. And while calling this incident an under-handed tactic might be a stretch, but surely brings up the question of Gamesmanship and the spirit of the game, and also may come under the ambit of the fielder damaging the pitch in the ICC Playing Conditions for World Test Championship.

As per section 41.12.1, It is unfair to cause deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch. A fielder will be deemed to be causing avoidable damage if either umpire considers that his presence on the pitch is without reasonable cause and 41.12.2, if a fielder causes avoidable damage to the pitch, other than as in clause 41.13.1, at the first instance the umpire seeing the contravention shall, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire.

However, the final call rests with the umpire to decide whether the fielder's action comes under 'damaging the pitch'. And if they do, they can caution the captain of the fielding side and indicate that this is a first and final warning. Another such infraction will lead to five penalty runs to the batting side.

Smith has a history of dragging himself into controversy- the likes of brain-fade against India, sandpaper gate against South Africa and now today’s incident at SCG.