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The world’s best Test batsman walked to the crease at the SCG needing to dig his team out of trouble at 1-7.
He produced several theatrical leaves in the 35 balls he faced against Victoria in their Sheffield Shield tie on Wednesday, at one point completing a full 360-degree turn.
But one thing was missing - runs. And another was added - being undone by a rookie quick.
NSW arrived at their home ground full of confidence with the availability of Test players Smith, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood.
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But it was 20-year-old Victorian paceman Mitch Perry who stole the show in the first session.
With a head full of red hear he was hard to miss already, but he certainly had everyone taking notice when he took the ball as first change and steamed in to Australian star Smith.
Perry bowled six or seven set-up deliveries to the batsman, moving the ball away, most of which Smith was happy to leave with a trademark flourish.
But the next three deliveries he brought in tighter to Smith and on the third he found the outside edge, with the former Test captain caught behind for only 7.
“That is a moment Mitch Perry will never forget,” said commentator Andrew Menzel.
Wednesday was only Perry’s third first-class game.
The wicket certainly shocked Smith, who had to depart and leave his side reeling at 2-30.
Perry later got former Test wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Nevill caught at slip, too.