Ashes 2019: Steve Smith admits he nearly quit the game

An emotional Steve Smith reveals he stopped loving cricket several times during his 12-month ban.

An emotional Steve Smith has revealed — after making a brilliant century in his first Test back following his 12-month ban — that he almost quit the game.

The batsman said that he lost his love for cricket when he underwent elbow surgery in January and at other times in the preceding months.

It was an extraordinary revelation for a batsman whose passion for the game was obvious from the time he was a boy.

MORE: How the match unfolded — Epic century highlights drama-filled day | Gideon Haigh writes — Smith is back but not done yet

Smith’s obsession with cricket saw him receive permission to leave school early so he could follow his dream and continued unchallenged up to the time of his ban for his involvement in the sandpaper scandal in March last year.

Few could match his passion or commitment. He demanded his father give him throw downs and net sessions at every opportunity and was notorious for getting his girlfriend — now wife — Dani to feed balls into bowling machines for him.

Steve Smith is congratulated by his wife Dani after scoring 144 runs. Picture: Getty Images.

Smith made 144 to rescue Australia and restored some credibility to Australia’s innings on his first day back in the Test side.

He put on 162 with tail enders Peter Siddle (44) and Nathan Lyon (12no) to get the team’s total to 284 after a second session collapse left them 8-122.

Smith revealed his love for the game died when he tore a tendon in his elbow.

“There were times throughout the last 15 months where I didn’t know if I was ever going to play cricket again,” the drained batsman said later.

“I lost a bit of love for it at one point, particularly when I had my elbow operation and it was really bizarre, it was the day I got the brace off my elbow I found a love for it again.

“I don’t know what it was, it was like a trigger that said ‘I’m ready to go again, I want to play’. And I wanted to go out and play for Australia and make people proud, and do what I love doing.

“I have never had those feelings before. I didn’t have a great sort of love for the game and it was there for a little while. Fortunately that love has come back. I am really grateful to be in this position, playing for Australia again and doing what I love.”

Friends of Smith were worried for him at the time, but his innings in difficult conditions is proof the love is back and he has lost none of the form that saw him averaging 61 before the ban.

Steve Smith bats during Day One. Picture: Getty Images.

Steve Smith celebrates his century with teammates. Picture: AFP.

His 25th century was among his most special and one of his most important given the team’s perilous position during the match.

“I think it has got to be one of my best hundreds, definitely, first Ashes Test match, the ball was doing a fair bit out in the morning so I had to work really hard,” he said. “I got beaten a few times but I just had to let that go and concentrated on the next ball and kept digging in, I know that the first Test of an Ashes series is always big.

“I didn’t want to give my wicket up easily, I wanted to keep fighting and fortunately Iw as able to dig in today and get ourselves to a reasonable total I think,

“I thought Peter Siddle did a magnificent job, that partnership we were able to form and Nathan Lyon as well, he was magnificent. He actually said to me that’s the most nervous I’ve ever been out in the middle batting so to be able to get to my hundred and give him a really big hug and let all my emotions out that was really special.”

Despite England fans booing him as they had all day, Smith celebrated his milestone with a series of passionate gestures toward the dressing room.

“I didn’t really know what to do to be honest, it’s been a long time coming, but I’m just, I don’t know, I’m sort of lost for words at the moment, just really proud that I was able to help pull the team out of a little bit of trouble,” he said. “Obviously England bowled exceptionally well in the first two sessions and it was hard work out there, I’m just proud that I was able to dig in and fight through the difficult periods and get ourselves to a competitive total.

“The dressing room, the Aussie supporters that are here, they were very loud today when I got to a hundred, it’s great to have some Aussie support over here. I just saw the boys going berserk on the balcony which was a huge moment and I’m sort of lost for words to be honest”.

Steve Smith acknowledges the crowd as he leaves the field. Picture: AFP.

Smith claims the booing had no effect on him.

“It doesn’t bother me to be perfectly honest,” he said. “I know I have the support of the guys in the room. For me, that’s all that really matters. They went berserk on the balcony when I got to 100 and looking up at them, it really sent shivers down my spine. It’s been a long time coming, getting another Test hundred, a really huge moment, and I’m lost for words, I don’t really know what to say.”

Stuart Broad dismissed Smith with the final ball of the Australian innings to complete a five wicket haul after his bowling partner Jimmy Anderson broke down with calf strain in the first session.

The English bowler had an interesting take on Smith’s innings.

“Is he always that fidgety?” he asked.

“It seemed like he was really fidgety today and getting a bit frustrated with himself when he didn’t hit a four.

“But I think that might be just because I’ve not played against him for 18 months so I’d forgotten just how much he moves around.

“I don’t think he’s changed too much technically.

“He’s always moved his feet a lot in the crease, he came outside off stump a little bit and then tried to stay a bit leg side.

“He manoeuvres around to try and put the bowlers off their line, and something we can look at is maybe moving a bit more ourselves on the crease to change his angles.

“He’s fantastic, I mean look at his record – what does he average, nearly 60 doesn’t he?

“You’ve’ got to make those first 20 balls at him count, and I think we bowled really well at him for a period of time but he’s arguably the best batter in the world at batting with the tail.

“He finds boundaries, he manoeuvres twos, he finds awkward gaps and seems to score runs without taking too many risks.

“So 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.”

Broad said Anderson was frustrated and had apologised to his bowling partners after the failed comeback from a strained calf that kept him out of the Test against Ireland.