Your morning Briefing: Epic Smith ton rescues Aussies

Your 2-minute digest of today’s top stories and must-reads.

Hello readers. Steve Smith has saved the day for the Aussies in the Ashes with a dogged century, and John Setka’s brutal union power play in SA.

Australia's Steve Smith celebrates his century on the opening day of the first Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England on August 1, 2019. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Epic Smith ton rescues Aussies

Steve Smith scored one of the great centuries, in his first Test back from suspension, to save Australia from humiliation on a drama-charged first day in the first Test Match of the Ashes series at Edgbaston. Peter Lalor reports on how an emotional Smith has revealed how he fell out of love with cricket and almost quit during his 12-month ban, while Gideon Haigh reckons that for a batsman gone so long without a Test innings, Smith could hardly have been readier. Follow the first day’s play in detail with our live blog recap here.

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Facebook photo of Taivairange Savage, CFMEU

Setka power play: brutal and radical

A former CFMEU secretary has revealed John Setka’s plans for the formal takeover of southern Australia by the militant Victorian branch.

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Treasurer Josh Frydenberg during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture:Kym Smith

‘Get Josh’ crusade lashed

Michael Sukkar has labelled the campaign against Josh Frydenberg’s eligibility as anti-Semitic.

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Crisis deepens but Wallabies smiling

The Folau case has taken another turn. The Federal Court will be working overtime, writes Alan Jones. Meanwhile, another member of the Folau family has lost his job after expressing his religious beliefs.

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Kudelka’s view

Jon Kudelka Letters Cartoon 02-08-19Version: Letters Cartoon (1280x720 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added)COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications.Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.