Bite-sized Ashes: Steve Smith scores Ashes century on day one of first Test at Edgbaston

Welcome back Steve Smith. A nightmare session for the officials and fans left utterly stumped by Todd Woodbridge hosting the cricket. Catch up on all of last night’s action here.

• Best Test bat on planet puts on a rare treat
• England jeer squad keep promise to turn up volume
• ‘Vile, horrific umpiring’: Officials slammed by Test greats
• ‘He’s distraught’: Anderson Ashes future in balance

On a truly remarkable day of Test cricket, Steve Smith cemented his status as the best since Bradman with a gutsy, backs-to-the-wall century that turned the match on its head.

After a shameful performance from Australia’s top order, Peter Siddle joined Smith at 8-122 and Australia in all sorts.

But the pair steered Australia out of trouble, with Smith finishing on 144 as he humiliated England in devastating fashion. England survived to be 0-10 at stumps and will start day two on the backfoot, 274 runs behind and with a fired-up Australian pace attack ready to rumble.

Aside from an utterly remarkable Test innings, here’s what else you missed from play last night.

SMITH BREAKS POMS, ROOT RAISES WHITE FLAG

To get a feel for just how incredible Steve Smith was, and the impact of his century – even removing the context of his incredible comeback and the emotional release following his 12-month ban – you only needed to watch Australia’s 10th wicket partnership.

With Australia nine wickets down, England raised the white flag according to their Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan who was openly critical of Joe Root’s tactical choices.

As Smith surged past 100 and lifted the tempo, England pulled back and put every single fielder on the boundary while Smith was on strike.

The Aussie superstar treated the tactic with the disdain it deserved, continuing to find gaps and pick up boundaries as England wilted.

It was masterful batting, but shameful captaincy from Root, according to Vaughan.

“It’s a white flag,” says former England captain Michael Vaughan.

“It’s saying ‘we don’t know how to get you out, so we’re not going to bother anymore’.”

The Poms were clueless in trying to remove Steve Smith.

Steve Smith took the English attack apart in an amazing knock.

CHANNEL NINE COVERAGE PANNED

Channel Nine was the home of cricket for generations of Australians before losing the rights last year – while gaining the tennis rights to the Australian Open at the same time.

They did manage to keep hold of the Ashes – the jewel in the crown of the cricket calendar – however they lost plenty of their big-name presenters.

Which is how they landed on their host for the coverage of these Ashes: former grand slam-winning doubles star Todd Woodbridge.

Woodbridge has led Channel Seven’s tennis coverage but doesn’t exactly have a big cricket pedigree, and his appearance on Thursday night left some viewers a touch miffed.

Former #Ashes skipper Todd Woodbridge wonders if Steve Smith’s game might be better suited to clay @wwos pic.twitter.com/3fcRmz6iIp

— Dean Felton (@DeanFelton7) August 1, 2019

Aussie cricket legend Todd Woodbridge reckons by day four the Edgbaston wicket will be taking topspin #Ashes @wwos pic.twitter.com/e1g8VLsIbZ

— Dean Felton (@DeanFelton7) August 1, 2019

So how’d we get Todd Woodbridge hosting the cricket? #ashes2019

— Jamie Cox (@jamiecox1969) August 1, 2019

Good first session for Australia in tricky conditions.

Todd Woodbridge agrees, claiming we’ve won the first set in a tiebreak, and would be further ahead with fewer unforced errors.#Ashes #EngvAus

— Theo Doropoulos (@TheoDrop) August 1, 2019

Todd Woodbridge? Is this Wimbledon or the ashes? #TheAshes2019

— Courtney Brazier (@CourtneyBrazie9) August 1, 2019

ALEEM DAR’S HORROR DAY OUT

On a nightmare day for the umpires – who made blunders throughout the day making, conservatively seven key errors – Aleem Dar might’ve wondered what else could go wrong.

And then he was stung by a wasp.

It summed his day up, considering he’d made errors in giving David Warner, James Pattinson and Steve Smith out – with only Smith hanging around after challenging the dismissal.

“The umpires have had a shocking day,” mused Nasser Hussain, speaking on behalf of cricket fans around the world.

NIGHTMARE START FOR TOP ORDER

Australia’s top order was supposed to be one of its key strengths over England, but it looked anything but as Stuart Broad tore through in the morning session.

Australia were 3-35 when Usman Khawaja was sent packing for 13, after both openers failed against the guile of Stuart Broad.

The woe against the moving ball definitely looked to rear its head as David Warner and Cameron Bancroft struggled in the opening 10 overs – something Justin Langer will desperately hope can be rectified in the short term.

PAINE’S ‘SOFT’ DISMISSAL

Tim Paine bristled at suggestions he was under pressure from the in-form Alex Carey pre-game, but he won’t want to see too many replays of his dismissal.

With his team firmly under the pump just ten minutes from the tea break, Paine played a wild hook off Broad to pick out Rory Burns in the outfield to depart for 5 – leaving Australia reeling at 6-112.

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OPENER BATTLE NOT OVER

The battle to be David Warner’s opening partner might not be over just yet.

Cameron Bancroft won back his opening spot from the incumbent Marcus Harris for the opening Test, but looked all at sea against the new ball in Birmingham.

He took 13 balls to get off the mark and was on his way for just eight in a poor showing.

Harris had a reasonable debut Test summer, holding his own against India – finishing as Australia’s leading runscorer with 258 at 36.86 – but failed to cash in against Sri Lanka.

But he lost the fight for the first Test after modest scores of 6 and 15 in the warm-up game.

If Bancroft continues to struggle, Harris could find himself back at the top of the order before the Ashes are over.