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Ashes 2019: Steve Smith century highlights drama-filled day one at Edgbaston

Steve Smith scored one of the great centuries to save Australia from humiliation.

Peter Lalor and Tom Crystal
16 min read
5:43AMAugust 02, 2019.
Updated 5:14PMAugust 02, 2019
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Steve Smith salutes the crowd after reaching his century. Picture: Getty Images
Steve Smith salutes the crowd after reaching his century. Picture: Getty Images

Ashes 2019: Australia vs England, day one of the first Test, at Edgbaston. England finished on 0-10 in reply to Australia’s first innings of 284.

Peter Lalor 5am: Wrap - Smith makes up for lost time

It was like he never left. It made you wonder how the team ever coped without him.

His triumphant return came in the nick of time for rarely had his team needed him so. His efforts lifting them from despondency and placing them in a strong position at the end of the first day.

If it makes you regret the cricket he missed, then imagine how it makes him feel. It is 481 days since he played a Test for his country. It is over 17 months since he left the game with his head hung in shame and his tear-stained face plastered across newspapers and news screens from New York to his home state of NSW.

MORE: Gideon Haigh writes Steve Smith is back but he is not done yet | Peter Lalor reports how Steve Smith nearly quit cricket

Steve Smith made up for lost time on day one at Edgbaston, returning to Test cricket with an extraordinary century that rescued Australia from its perilous position in the middle of the day.

The game’s most unique and eccentric batsman made 144 from 219 balls in an innings that contained 16 fours and two sixes.

Steve Smith celebrates his ton. Picture: AP
Steve Smith celebrates his ton. Picture: AP

He was dismissed with half an hour remaining of an extended session on the last day. It was his 24th Test century and one of his most valuable.

Australia were all out for 284 when Smith — who had contributed more than half the runs — was the last man out. When the innings was over he sprinted for the dressing room, pausing to wave his bat to an Australian tour group on his left, then turning in momentary triumph to the jeering crowd, before disappearing inside.

Rarely has such a triumphant comeback been greeted in such a way.

Cricket: Steve Smith marks Test comeback with a brilliant century (WWOS)

His departure after such a long time at the crease at least gave the partisan crowd a chance to acknowledge Stuart Broad’s 5-86, but any celebration was tinged by frustration at what they had just witnessed.

The former captain, who has not been seen since the traumatic events at Cape Town, went some way to leaving the past behind with the magnificent innings, eking out his century with a pair of captivating partnerships with the tail which more than doubled the team’s score.

Smith and Peter Siddle (44) put on 88 for the ninth wicket to give Australia some hope after the side had been wallowing at 8-122 in the second session.

Smith runs off the ground after his innings. Picture: AFP
Smith runs off the ground after his innings. Picture: AFP

The brilliant batsman was 85no when the veteran Victorian was dismissed and Nathan Lyon came to the wicket.

Where Smith had been happy to share the strike with Siddle and the bowler obliged by playing with common sense and confidence, facing 85 balls in the partnership.

When Lyon came to the wicket former captain began to farm the strike, seeking singles toward the end of overs and playing more expansively when facing.

He got to 99 with a six off the bowling of Moeen Ali and then to 100 with a sweetly driven cover drive off Stokes.

Smith celebrated exuberantly, pointing to the dressing room as the crowd jeered and chanted “cheat, cheat”.

He continued to pick out boundaries and protect Lyon (12no) in a partnership that contributed another 74 runs to the score.

Australian fans roar their appreciation. Picture: Getty Images
Australian fans roar their appreciation. Picture: Getty Images

Almost the every member of the crowd in the Hollies stand had waved sandpaper and jeered when David Warner was dismissed earlier in the game.

Smith was jeered on and off the field at every break, including a momentary departure for a passing rain storm.

Coach Justin Langer and captain Tim Paine had wondered how the three players suspended in Cape Town would handle the reception and at least one of them demonstrated it had no effect on him.

Smith must love England. He made his debut here in 2010 as a leg spin bowler, scored his first century at The Oval in 2013 and a double century at Lord’s in 2015 which he followed up with a hundred at The Oval.

Smith was averaging 61 and the best batsman in the world when Cricket Australia suspended him for a year for not halting the sandpaper plot. He had 23 centuries and was at the top of his game.

Smith and wife Dani Willis after the end of day one. Picture: Getty Images
Smith and wife Dani Willis after the end of day one. Picture: Getty Images

There were concerns that the incident would halt his progress but it appears to have merely interrupted it.

England looked to have stolen the running in the game when they tore through the top order, the effort all the more remarkable for the fact Jimmy Anderson broke down after bowling four overs and was not seen again.

The team must be questioning the decision to play the veteran who turned 37 on the eve of the match. Anderson had missed the Ireland Test last week having missed some first class cricket with the same injury.

Broad and Ben Woakes 3-58 more than made up for the absence of the champion opening bowler but were worn down in the post tea session by Smith and co.

Australia did not bat well and squandered opportunity. Warner was given out LBW to Broad in the fourth over for 2 runs but had he reviewed his innings would have continued.

Smith embraces Nathan Lyon. Picture: Getty Images
Smith embraces Nathan Lyon. Picture: Getty Images

The opener’s acceptance of the umpire’s decision suggested apologetic mind set in the wake of his ban and there was further hint of that when Smith began to walk when England reviewed the umpire’s decision to give him not out soon after he passed a hundred.

The batsman began to make his way to the dressing room, but replays showed the official, Joel Wilson had made the right call.

Smith may have been forgiven as the umpires had a terrible day. On four occasions the infield decision was overturned on review and on three it should have been had the teams requested it.

Replays showed that Matthew Wade, who was given out LBW for 1 on his return to cricket, would have been reinstated had he asked also.

Warner should have been given out first ball he faced when he nibbled one down leg side but England did not use a review.

Lunch clearly did not sit well with the Australians who lost five 5-71 in the second session.

Travis Head and Smith had launched something of a rescue mission getting the side to 3-83 at the break after it had been in trouble early at 3-35.

Head (35) fell LBW to Woakes with the score on 99 soon after the break and things went down hill from there.

Matthew Wade (1) was out LBW two overs later to the same bowler, Tim Paine (5) played a woeful shot to be caught in the deep pulling Broad, James Pattinson (0) lasted two balls before being trapped in front by the same bowler and then Pat Cummins suffered the same fate to a straight ball from Ben Stokes.

Match blog — how day one unfolded:

3.55am: STUMPS

England survive two overs without incident, finishing on 0-10 with Rory Burns on 4 and Jason Roy 6.

Paceman Pat Cummins checks in on England batsman Jason Roy. Picture: AFP
Paceman Pat Cummins checks in on England batsman Jason Roy. Picture: AFP

3.45am: Testing time

A nervy spell looms here for the home side — they’ll face two overs to complete day one. Roary Burns and Jason Roy head out to the middle, Pat Cummins will bowl the first over.

3.36am: WICKET!

Steve Smith is last man out, bowled by Stuart Broad for a magnificent 144, just over half of Australia’s total. Broad finishes with 5-86 but it’s all about Smith. His 24th Test ton is probably his best. The last two Australian wickets put on 162 runs.

Steve Smith acknowledges the Edgbaston crowd. Picture: Getty Images
Steve Smith acknowledges the Edgbaston crowd. Picture: Getty Images

3.30am: Lyon on the charge

Australia’s No.11 gets in on the act, driving Stuart Broad down the ground for four, then Chris Woakes through cover for another boundary. Steve Smith slogs Broad for six over deep mid-wicket, racing along to 144.

3.15am: Boundary barrage

Steve Smith — century tucked in the back pocket — clicks into T20 mode and starts going after the England bowlers. He smacks Stuart Broad for a pair of boundaries; hands out the same punishment to Chris Woakes; and then smashes Broad again out to the square-leg fence. It’s breathtaking stuff and the Australian fans in the crowd are delirious. He’s raced to 131, peeling off 27 runs from 18 deliveries. Australia are up to 9-267.

Steve Smith celebrates his century. Picture: AFP
Steve Smith celebrates his century. Picture: AFP
The Australian dressing-room. Picture: Getty Images
The Australian dressing-room. Picture: Getty Images

2.52am: TON FOR SMITH!

One of the great Ashes innings. The former skipper drives Ben Stokes to the cover boundary to move to 103. It’s his first Test innings since the year-long ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal and it’s rescued Australia from a disastrous position. England’s boos are drowned out by raucous cheering from the Aussie fans.

2.30am: WICKET!

Moeen Ali is brought back into the attack and gets the breakthrough — Peter Siddle for a vital 44, caught at short leg by Jos Buttler. It ends a much-needed 88-run partnership.

2.17am: Pitch battle

Ben Stokes is into his 14th over and England’s bowlers are just starting to feel the pinch of James Anderson’s absence. A Peter Siddle glide to third man brings up the 200 — a total that looked well out of reach at 8-122.

Steve Smith takes a breather after a quick single. Picture: AFP
Steve Smith takes a breather after a quick single. Picture: AFP

1.55am: Precious runs

Peter Siddle is playing an unlikely hand, looking comfortable as he reaches 33. He slaps a wide Ben Stokes ball behind point for four, and Steve Smith pulls exquisitely between a pair of fielders on the leg side for a similar result. The partnership is up to 68, the visitors now 8-190.

Peter Siddle pushes for a run late on day one of the first Test. Picture: Getty Images
Peter Siddle pushes for a run late on day one of the first Test. Picture: Getty Images

1.35am: Off, and on

A burst of rain sends Steve Smith and Peter Siddle running to the pavilion but the fielding team are unmoved. The break lasts only a couple of minutes before they’re summoned back onto the ground. A fair indication of who’s on top in this game.

Siddle cracks Stuart Broad through the covers for four. Smith has been content to take a single early in the over and let the No.10 do his best, and Siddle has done OK.

1.15am: Final session on hold

Showers delayed the start of the post-tea session but the clouds have cleared and play is due to start at 1.20am (AEST).

Peter Lalor 12.50am: Bowlers swing into action

Lunch clearly did not sit well with the Australians who lost five 5-71 in a disastrous second session at Edgbaston.

Travis Head and Steve Smith had launched something of a rescue mission getting the side to 3-83 at the first break after the team had been in trouble early at 3-35.

Head (35) fell LBW to Woakes with the score on 99 soon after play recommenced and things went down hill from there.

Matthew Wade (1) was out LBW two overs later to the same bowler, Tim Paine (5) played a woeful shot to be caught in the deep pulling Broad, James Pattinson (0) lasted two balls before being trapped in front by the same bowler and then Pat Cummins suffered the same fate to a straight ball from Ben Stokes.

Australia were 8-154 at tea, Broad the chief destroyer with 4-38 and Woakes going well with 3-35 in the absence of James Anderson who has gone for scans.

The veteran bowler is suffering a recurrence of the calf strain that kept him out of the Ireland Test.

The only bright spot for Australia is Steve Smith, the former captain picking up from where he left off 16 months ago, is 66no.

The umpires are having as tough a time of it as the batsman with four decisions overturned on review and three that would have been had the players requested them.

Storm clouds close in at Edgbaston. Picture: Getty Images
Storm clouds close in at Edgbaston. Picture: Getty Images

12.40am: Tea

Steve Smith (66) and Peter Siddle (7) end the second session unbeaten as light rain begins to fall. The lights are on but there is serious doubt about whether we’ll get in a full day’s play. Australia won’t mind that, but they’d also like to get a crack at England’s top order in swing-friendly conditions.

Jubilant fans in the stands. Picture: AP
Jubilant fans in the stands. Picture: AP

12.30am: A late flurry?

Tailender Peter Siddle sweeps Moeen Ali for four, and Smith pulls Ben Stokes in front of square three balls later to bring up the 150 for Australia. This pair has added 30 and rescued the visitors from a truly miserable total.

12.15am: Steve Smith reaches 50

A patient, gritty knock from the former captain. He’s watched from the other end as wickets have tumbled, but he’s applied himself in a 119-ball knock which has featured four boundaries. Very much a lone hand.

Steve Smith reacts after the dismissal of Pat Cummins. Picture: Getty Images
Steve Smith reacts after the dismissal of Pat Cummins. Picture: Getty Images

12.01am: WICKET!

Pat Cummins (5) is the next to go, another lbw victim, this time to Ben Stokes. Australia’s batsmen have been unable to handle the early swing, and reverse swing later on. This first innings is looking pretty sad.

11.45pm: WICKET!

The collapse is on. James Pattinson (0) goes second ball, lbw to Stuart Broad from around the wicket. There’s no apparent thought of asking for a review but the replay shows the ball sliding past leg stump. Another bad call, but England’s bowling after lunch has been top notch — it’s swinging around corners.

11.40pm: WICKET!

From bad to worse for the visitors. Skipper Tim Paine (5) rocks back and plays a pull shot straight to Rory Burns at deep square leg. It’s a poor shot and the captain will be unhappy with himself. It’s 6-112.

Stuart Broad strikes a familiar pose as he rips through the Australian batting. Picture: Getty Images
Stuart Broad strikes a familiar pose as he rips through the Australian batting. Picture: Getty Images

11.20pm: WICKET!

Another not-out call referred to the third umpire. This time an lbw shout against Matthew Wade. Chris Woakes is swinging the ball around and he gets Wade falling across his crease. Ball-tracking shows it’s hitting and Australia are now 5-105.

Chris Woakes, right, removes Matthew Wade lbw. Picture: AFP
Chris Woakes, right, removes Matthew Wade lbw. Picture: AFP

11.15pm: Close call!

Steve Smith dodges a bullet. He offers a no-shot to a Stuart Broad delivery that’s pitching outside off stump but darting back in. Umpire Aleem Dar gives Smith out lbw but the batsman challenges. It’s a successful one and the dismissal is overturned.

11.07pm: WICKET!

England strike a crucial blow, just as the rescue mission was gaining momentum. Chris Woakes gets a delivery to nip back to left-hander Travis Head, and umpire Joel Wilson wastes little time in raising the finger. After a quick chat with Steve Smith, Head asks for a review. No joy there, it confirms the lbw call. Australia slip to 4-99.

10.55pm: We’re back underway

Play has resumed after lunch. A couple of singles off Stuart Broad takes the fourth-wicket partnership to 50. Travis Head drives the big paceman down the ground for his fifth boundary of the innings to move to 33. Steve Smith (25) is playing a much-needed support role.

10.30pm: Injury blow rocks England

Big news from Edgbaston: paceman James Anderson’s calf injury looks to have flared and he will go for scans today to determine the extent of the problem. Questions are bound to be asked about why he was risked for this Test — he has battled this injury for a month — only to break down after just four overs. Incidentally, Anderson’s opening spell yielded just one run.

10pm: Lunch

Australia have clawed their way back from a disastrous start to reach 3-83 after the first session. England reduced the visitors to 3-35 but some bright batting, from Travis Head in particular, has dragged the visitors back into the opening Test. It sets up a fascinating second session.

Steve Smith and Travis Head reach lunch. Picture: Getty Images
Steve Smith and Travis Head reach lunch. Picture: Getty Images

9.50pm: Runs now flowing

Off-spinner Moeen Ali is operating now, in tandem with World Cup hero Ben Stokes. Travis Head is looking to increase the scoring rate, and Steve Smith chimes in with a beautiful pull shot to the boundary. Stokes has struggled, he’s spraying them everywhere. The partnership is pushing up to 50 valuable runs.

9.35pm: Head’s up

It’s up to Travis Head and Steve Smith to lead some sort of fightback here. Head goes after Ben Stokes, pulling for four and then slashing a wide ball to the point boundary. He picks up three more off the final ball of the over, gliding a wide ball down to third man. Australia have reached 50 but there is a long way to go.

Steve Smith strides out to the crease. Picture: Getty Images
Steve Smith strides out to the crease. Picture: Getty Images

9.13pm: WICKET!

Usman Khawaja survives a big appeal for caught behind off the bowling of Chris Woakes, but the home side call for a review and it shows a tiny edge. The left-hander is out for 13 and Australia are in big trouble at 3-35.

Jacquelin Magnay 9.05pm: Underhanded tactic

Has England got the upper hand early in the Ashes Test series by refusing to show a hand?

England captain Joe Root and Australian captain Tim Paine didn’t shake hands at the opening ceremony, nor at the official coin toss.

England were annoyed that the new Australian tradition of shaking hands before the match — implemented by Paine in the wake of Australia’s Cape Town cheating controversy — was a PR stunt, and didn’t want it to be part of the official protocol.

The two leaders had shaken hands and then held the Ashes urn when they gathered for photographers earlier in the week, but there was no close contact in the build-up to today’s opening session.

The hosts certainly have the upper hand in the first hour, dismissing the two openers for single figures each.

One of the signs in the crowd. Picture: Getty Images
One of the signs in the crowd. Picture: Getty Images

9pm: Number’s up?

This is the first Test to be played in which the combatants will sport a number and their name on the back — in the manner of football codes across the globe. Not everyone is a fan ...

Stuart Broad and co on the first morning of the first Ashes Test. Picture: AFP
Stuart Broad and co on the first morning of the first Ashes Test. Picture: AFP

Jacquelin Magnay 8.45pm: Bowlers on target early

Those predictions by Joe Root at the toss — that the muggy conditions would prove to be Australia’s undoing — are coming to the fore.

Two of Australia’s infamous Cape Town trio are already in the sheds within the first hour of the series with less than 20 runs on the board.

Cameron Bancroft trudged to the dressing room after making just 8 runs. He looked uncomfortable for most of his short innings. As was the case with Warner, Bancroft was farewelled from the field by the crowd waving squares of yellow sandpaper and huge boos.

8.35pm: WICKET!

Cameron Bancroft was just starting to look comfortable but Stuart Broad ends that. He entices an edge to Joe Root at first slip, and Bancroft’s return to Test cricket ends on 8, which comprised two boundaries. Australia are 2-17.

Jacquelin Magnay 8.30pm: Tale of the tape

David Warner’s uber-short innings was full of drama. Replays of his dismissal clearly showed he wasn’t out.

Yet Warner was only at the wicket because the very first ball he faced in the match — also by Broad, was a catch, but the England team failed to review it.

And in the middle of his stint, Warner was given a stern warning about “gardening the wicket” at the exact point where the ball from a spin bowler would land.

Umpire Alex Dar picked up what could have been some gamesmanship from Warner and told he couldn’t walk up the line of the wicket in his spikes.

8.20pm: WICKET!

David Warner doesn’t cash in on his second chance. He’s out lbw for 2 off a Stuart Broad ball that nipped back into him. However, ball tracking shows the delivery doing too much and missing leg stump — the opener should have challenged!

Jacquelin Magnay 8.10pm: Chance missed!

And the Ashes have started with David Warner surviving what could have been a catch first ball.

Warner appeared to have nicked a slight edge on the first ball he faced from Stuart Broad but the England team failed to go to a review. That was a stoke of luck for Australia.

Broad was keen, initially excited that Australia’s in-form batsman was in trouble, but took his cue from the rest of the team that appeared only half-hearted. However replays of the delivery showed a slight nick of the ball on Warner’s bat.

8pm: Anderson gets the new ball

Veteran paceman Jimmy Anderson, with 575 Test wickets to his name, gets the honours for the first over, delivering to Cameron Bancroft. A bit of swing early, and he beats the bat with his third ball.

Jacquelin Magnay 7.40pm: ‘A good toss to lose’

Play will start in muggy conditions and on a brownish wicket, so the first session promises fireworks. England captain Joe Root said this toss “was a nice one to lose”.

Root says the conditions give the England team a “great opportunity” to take advantage of the overcast skies in the next few hours.

“We are going to take them on, it looks a bit tacky, hopefully we can get into the top order early,” he said.

But Australian captain Tim Paine defended his choice to bat first: “The wicket looks really good ... the wicket is pretty dry, whatever you do first, you do well.’’

England captain Joe Root tosses the coin alongside Australian captain Tim Paine. Picture: Getty Images
England captain Joe Root tosses the coin alongside Australian captain Tim Paine. Picture: Getty Images

7.33pm: Australia win the toss

Tim Paine calls correctly and the visitors will get first use of a dry pitch.

7.20pm: The final teams

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have been sidelined, and Peter Siddle brought in to complement speedsters Pat Cummins and James Pattinson.

Australia: Tim Paine (capt), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon.

England: Joe Root (capt), Rory Burns, Jason Roy, Joe Denly, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Joel Wilson (WI).

Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI).

Third Umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL).

Veteran paceman Peter Siddle has been recalled for the opening Ashes Test. Picture: Getty Images
Veteran paceman Peter Siddle has been recalled for the opening Ashes Test. Picture: Getty Images

Happy hunting ground for hosts

England return to ‘Fortress Edgbaston’ for the first Test against Australia looking to round off an already memorable season by completing a World Cup and Ashes double, AFP reports.

If the World Cup remains the pinnacle of the 50-over game, for England and Australia there’s nothing quite like a renewal of Test cricket’s oldest rivalry.

But now there’s arguably more at stake for both sides than the series result. For England, a home season billed as the most important in a generation started brilliantly with their impressive run to a first men’s World Cup title that culminated with a Super Over win in a dramatic final against New Zealand at Lord’s last month.

Building on that groundswell of support is a key part of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s post-tournament strategy, while regaining the Ashes represents an ideal chance to keep new fans on board.

“It’s huge. It’s a great opportunity,” said England captain Joe Root. “Cricket in this country is probably at an highest, it’s got interest it probably hasn’t had for a long time and we’ve got an opportunity as a team to make this summer a very memorable one.”

For Australia, an Ashes series win under the dignified leadership of Tim Paine would help draw a line under the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa that led to long bans for former captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

All three batsmen are likely to feature at Edgbaston, with Bancroft set to hear the same booing that greeted Smith and Warner during the World Cup.

Australia have not won an Ashes series in England for 18 years, with their batsmen struggling against the heavily stitched Dukes ball on pitches that offer seam movement.

“Everyone is excited, it’s a huge opportunity to come to England and do something even some of our great teams haven’t to do in the last 20 years,” said Paine. “We’ve got some self-belief we can do it.”

The vile bile of Edgbaston fans

They call it comedy but the bile emanating from the stands at Edgbaston sounds a lot like hate. The Edgbaston narrative this week has focused on how the crowd will seize upon the Cape Town three. Read more here

Additional reporting: Jacquelin Magnay and AFP

Read related topics:Ashes

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