The Ashes 2019: World in awe of Steve Smith as former Aussie skipper blasts century at Edgbaston

Not everyone was in awe of Steve Smith’s batting feats at Edgbaston. A certain British tabloid says the Aussie shouldn’t have been out there let alone providing a match-shaping innings.

Steve Smith has plenty to smile about after the first day’s play at Edgbaston.

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Steve Smith’s magnificent redemption century has been hailed one of the greatest in history as he came back from a 12-month ban to revive Australia’s Ashes hopes in extraordinary fashion.

But not everyone was pleased.

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The Sun isn’t happy.

The Sun voiced their disapproval in their back page headline, insisting that the the former Aussie skipper should have been banned for life (perhaps a little tongue in cheek!) for his sandpaper infraction in Cape Town last year instead of just 12 months.

For without Smith Australia would be battling to stay alive after just the first day of the Test.

He plundered 144, batting masterfully with the tail while enduring endless abuse from the ruthless Edgbaston fans.

And in doing so he had the cricketing world in awe at his remarkable feats, cementing his title as the best since Don Bradman and reminding everyone that he is still the best Test batsman on the planet.

"I can handle the rough stuff," from Daily Mirror.

Daily Express' Friday backpage headline.

Steve Smith batting on Day 1 in Tests: 2219 runs at 116.78.
Batting on days 2-5: 4124 @ 49.68.

— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) August 1, 2019

Quickest to 24 Test centuries:
66 innings - Sir Don Bradman
118 innings - Steve Smith
123 innings - Virat Kohli
125 innings - Sachin Tendulkar

LIVE COMMENTARY: https://t.co/KVrFyhOjw0#Ashes #ENGvAUS

— 🏏FlashScore Cricket Commentators🏏 (@FlashCric) August 1, 2019

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan described the knock as “one of the all-time outstanding Test innings”, noting that the context of it being his first day of Test cricket since being banned for his role in the ugly ball-tampering affair made added another layer to its quality.

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

Former Aussie coach Darren Lehmann summed up the prevailing feeling about Smith with this perfect tweet.

You are a superstar. Well played from everyone over here in Aus and around the world 👍🇦🇺 @stevesmith49 .
Loved watching the fight back , bring on day 2 👍. https://t.co/rqedi8vYhK

— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) August 1, 2019

Meanwhile, at one point England threw up their hands at the thought of getting Smith out, raising the white flag and banishing all fielders to the boundary.

Steve Smith has plenty to smile about after the first day’s play at Edgbaston.

“I had everyone on the boundary and he still hit me for four at one stage. He has played beautifully, there’s no doubt about that,” said Stuart Broad, before making a plea to the groundsmen to give them some support in stopping Smith.

“For us to win this Ashes series, we’re going to have to get him out early.

“And hopefully a little bit more pace and bounce in the pitches.”

Australia great Shane Warne took note of the emotion Smith displayed upon reaching three figures, as he looked up to the skies and raised his arms in triumph.

“You can see there it means a lot to him,” Warne said.

Daily Star went with "Just boo good".

The Poms struggled with ideas of how to get Smith out.

“He’s been through a lot in the last 12 months and he deserved that hundred.

“All sorts of emotions there but a well-deserved hundred more than anything else when his team really needed. He’s delivered so many times for Australia and he delivered again in the first Ashes Test match.

“A terrific player. One of the greats.”

That view was supported by a host of Test legends, with Indian greats Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman both saluting the Aussie star.

“Really was an extraordinary innings from Steve Smith in his comeback test,” wrote Laxman.

The Aussie players await the arrival of Steve Smith.

“An innings full of guts, intensity and tenacity.”

Added Sehwag: “What a 100 for Steve Smith. Under difficult conditions, arguably one of the best batsman in Test Cricket.”

Respected Indian cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle anointed Smith as one of the titans of the game.

“Steve Smith has shown his class. Again. Genuine great in test cricket,” he said.