Steve Smith once again proved why he is the king in the longest format of the game. A brilliant century from him made the kangaroos cross the 250-run mark in the first Ashes Test. While all the pacers were spitting fire against the Aussie batsmen, Smith remained unfazed.
The opening combo of Warner and Bancroft wasn”t able to provide stability in the middle. Though Travis Head looked in good touch, a magical delivery from Woakes sent him to the pavilion. Mathew Wade and Tim Paine were dismissed for single figures leaving the side in a fuss.
Stuart Broad names his all-time Ashes XI
However, Steve Smith managed to sail through the innings with ease. His partnership with Peter Siddle changed the course of the game, otherwise, it would have been a low-scoring affair. Though a lot of English fans mocked and booed him, it wasn”t able to distract his 24th test century.
Smith changed gears right after reaching his century. He is scored a brisk at 144 with 16 boundaries and two sixes
Twitter appreciates Smith
Twitter couldn”t stop applauding Steve Smith for his brilliance. Several cricket fans and analysts are wishing him on social media platforms for the grit he has shown on the field.
His efforts put Australia at 284 as Broad registered yet another five-wicket haul as a part of the test career.
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A lot of former players are also completely mindblown by his innings.
This is how it reacted to the innings:
Whatever you think of Steve Smith,,,,the context of this test hundred must be appreciated for its sheer skill, tenacity and single-mindedness. Must rank very high on his list of 24💯’s.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) August 1, 2019
I'm writing this on #SandPaper in bold letters – @stevesmith49 is one of the best things that has happened to #Australian Cricket and handing it over to #England fans. #SteveSmith shines as England fans whine !! What a player, what a star @CricketAus #Ashes #ashes2019
— Mikkhail Vaswani (@MikkhailVaswani) August 1, 2019
Can’t remember a better Test innings in England since KP vs South Africa in 2012.
Steve Smith 👏
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) August 1, 2019
Two outstanding performances on opening day by Smith and Broad suggest this could be a riveting #Ashes series if Aussie bowlers perform as well as England’s
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 1, 2019
Take a bow Steve Smith #Ashes
— Ajit Agarkar (@imAagarkar) August 1, 2019
100 for Smith. Well batted.
— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) August 1, 2019
Incredible day of Test cricket. England on top at 122-8. Sheer determination from Steve Smith to take them to 284 and 💯 on return. And Broad outstanding with 5 wickets. #lovetestcricket
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) August 1, 2019
@stevesmith49 just finds a way, his way! 💯 #Genius #ENGvAUS #Ashes
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) August 1, 2019
From rock bottom to Ashes 💯. An innings to be massively admired. For Steve Smith’s own circumstances and that of the team #EngvAus #Ashes
— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) August 1, 2019
Incredible ton from Steve Smith. This is why he has the second best test batting average of all time #ENGvAUS #Ashes
— Ian Pont 🇬🇧 (@Ponty100mph) August 1, 2019
Just how good is Steve Smith in white flannels….another ton. Given the context and his team’s situation, it’ll be at par with the one he scored in Pune. Grit. Determination. Best Test batsman on the planet?? #TheAshes
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 1, 2019
What this century must mean to Steve Smith! What a brilliant player!
Take a bow.#Ashes pic.twitter.com/QoIpN5QU1Q— Rajal Arora (@RajalArora) August 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/SuryaForever5/status/1156976060468064258?s=20
Gem of an innings by Steve Smith on his comeback. 24th Test century. Bad news for England is only two have come in a losing cause. Both in the subcontinent. #Ashes
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) August 1, 2019
Steve Smith, 103* #Ashes pic.twitter.com/UCn3QXIpIg
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) August 1, 2019
Top century by Steven Smith. Australia were under pressure & Smith showcased his class by adapting well.
He’s surely one of the best players in Test cricket.
Remember his ton v India in Pune on a rank turner — still reckon that was his best Test innings.#Ashes #ENGvAUS— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) August 1, 2019
Smith, unreal talent. Class act! Look at the other Pakistani great there though… pic.twitter.com/HHugEUix9d
— Kalim Khan (@Kallerz37) August 1, 2019
Steve Smith celebrates his return to cricket with an extraordinary Edgbaston century.
They missed you Smithy! pic.twitter.com/guj3JX8xsH
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) August 1, 2019
Steve Smith – incredible innings,the resilience…! #TheAshes
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) August 1, 2019
1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ for Steve Smith!
What a knock! It's his 24th Test ton – is it his finest?#Ashes pic.twitter.com/X3G48IpqB1
— ICC (@ICC) August 1, 2019
Fewest innings to 24th Test 100
66 – Don Bradman
118 – Steve Smith
123 – Virat Kohli
125 – Sachin Tendulkar
128 – Sunil Gavaskar#Ashes#EngvAus#AusvsEng— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 1, 2019
Most #Ashes centuries for Australia:
Sir Donald Bradman: 19
Steve Waugh: 10
Steve Smith: 9— Sam Ferris (@samuelfez) August 1, 2019
What a 100 for Steve Smith. Under difficult conditions, arguably one of the best batsman in Test Cricket. #Ashes
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 1, 2019
Great fighting spirit shown by Siddle & surprise, surprise Smith. 200 is up, we won’t know how good this partnership is until Eng bat. #Ashes
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) August 1, 2019
Steve Smith announces his Test comeback in style. This is a very special 100 #ENGvAUS
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 1, 2019
Steve Smith has shown his class. Again. Genuine great in test cricket.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 1, 2019
One of the all time Outstanding Test Innings … To do that in his 1st Innings back in Test Cricket is remarkable … Sometimes you have to admire greatness … @stevesmith49 is some player … #Ashes
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 1, 2019
What a 100 for Steve Smith. Under difficult conditions, arguably one of the best batsman in Test Cricket. #Ashes
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/RobertLusetich/status/1156981713039482880
Really was an extraordinary innings from Steve Smith in his comeback test, an innings full of guts , intensity and tenacity .
From 122/8 , he has taken Australia to 284. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/jwapJu5FLi— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 1, 2019
CENTURY! He's back 🙌
Steve Smith brings up an outstanding hundred off 184 balls – his 24th in Test cricket!
That's his ninth #Ashes ton and fourth in England: https://t.co/adY5nEzxYR pic.twitter.com/fRkesHEhXz
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 1, 2019
STEVE SMITH IS BACK!
The former skipper tons up in his return to Test cricket, dragging Australia out of a near disaster in the process. It comes off 184 balls. Century no. 24 👏👏👏
AUS now 9/239 – follow the blog: https://t.co/XBd81cBS4i#Ashes #AUSvENG #SteveSmith pic.twitter.com/uVBns3XqCY
— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) August 1, 2019
I had something saved from last year that i felt would be incredible if it happened. It did. @dec_byrne what a prediction. #Ashes #ENGvAUS #SteveSmith. pic.twitter.com/OBDzo6S7AL
— Zubeda Ismail (@zubedaismail) August 1, 2019
Talk about a rescue mission! 👀 @stevesmith49 personifying pure grit as he leads 🇦🇺 out of trouble with a brilliant 💯 #Ashes #HallaBol pic.twitter.com/veXzh3AYO4
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 1, 2019
Steve Smith posted a brilliant century as our Aussies fought back on day one at Edgbaston #Ashes pic.twitter.com/Xr8c11Jy4i
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 1, 2019
