HOW do you solve a problem like Steve Smith? It’s a conundrum England were unable to answer as the Australian produced a virtuoso display of batting to almost single-handedly give his country first blood in this Ashes series.
Smith’s twin centuries at Edgbaston turned this opening Test on its head, his first helping his side recover from 122-8 on day one and his second setting up victory for Australia after England had taken a 90-run first-innings lead.
In the process, Smith not only completed his redemption narrative, the former Australia captain drawing comparisons with the great Don Bradman in his first Test back since serving a 12-month ban for his part in the ‘sandpaper-gate’ ball tampering scandal in Cape Town 16 months ago.
He also became only the fifth Australian to hit two centuries in the same Ashes Test after Warren Bardsley at The Oval in 1909, Arthur Morris at the Adelaide Oval in 1947, Steve Waugh at Old Trafford in 1997 and Matthew Hayden at Brisbane in 2002.
England could have done with James Anderson, their all-time leading wicket-taker, to counter Smith’s brilliance. Unfortunately he lasted just four overs of the first morning and has since been ruled out of the second Test at Lord’s with the calf injury that is threatening his whole series.
In a sense, this felt like the perfect storm for Australia, who not only capitalised on that lucky break but, thanks to Smith, came back from the dead in this match to ignite expectations that they can finally win an away Ashes series for the first time since 2001.
This story is from the August 11, 2019 edition of The Cricket Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 11, 2019 edition of The Cricket Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.
