Ashes cricket: Centurion Steve Smith takes up arms as war resumes

The third Test in Leeds was supposed to be all about Smith. The fallen captain who’s found ­redemption and will play his 100th Test. It’s Smith that captain Pat Cummins wants to focus on.

Steve Smith looks relaxed and confident ahead of his milestone 100th Test match in what promises to be a cauldron at Headingley. Picture: Getty Images

When the crowd at Lord’s was baying for Australian blood and chanting “cheats, cheats, cheats”, Steve Smith joked with his teammates that now, finally, they know how he feels.

The third Test in Leeds was supposed to be all about Smith. The fallen captain who’s found ­redemption in his game, quietly and surely, and is now about to face his 100th Test.

It’s Smith – considered the greatest batter of his generation – and his achievements that captain Pat Cummins wants to focus on.

“I don’t know where to start. To play 100 Tests, the question of longevity, fitness, form, all those kind of things, and just his consistency at being at the top level is phenomenal. Some people go on runs and might average 60 for a year or so. For him to do it over 100 Test matches puts it right up there as the next best batsman after Bradman type territory,” Cummins said in Leeds.

“All conditions, I think he’s got the same amount of centuries away and at home. He just finds a way. His appetite to train and work hard off the field is second to none. I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as he does.”

But as Cummins spoke in Leeds about Smith’s offhand remark on the torment they have faced since the second test ended, the captain also wanted to make something else clear.

Out is out, and that’s “the end of the discussion”.

Cummins, Smith and the team are focused on winning at Leeds.

“Everyone who has played cricket and knows cricket, you just see it as out, end of story,” an unrepentant Cummins said.

“If the shoe was on the other foot, I wouldn’t be looking at the opposition; I’d probably be thinking about our own batter and would be thinking it’s pretty silly.”

Cummins was pointed in his defence of the Australian side, which holds a 2-0 lead in the ­series going into the third Test.

“When we haven’t been playing up to scratch we look pretty deeply at what we are doing and try to make amends. We don’t ­apportion blame to conditions or opposition or anything else.

“(I’m) really proud of how our boys have conducted themselves this tour, especially on that day five. The way they maintained respect for the opposition, the umpires, the crowd, their dignity was first-class.”

It is unlikely to be the end of the discussion, however.

Players and families moved about Leeds on Wednesday, but there are lingering security concerns after one staff member’s son was reduced to tears and Smith’s mother was forced to leave the venue as England fans turned on Australians at Lord’s.

Three MCC members were suspended for their role in the hooligan mob that confronted players in the Long Room, as the Lord’s controversy remained the No.1 topic in both sports and politics.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey practises stumpings during the Australian team’s nets session ahead of the third Ashes Test at Headingley. Picture: Getty Images

One of Cummins’ predecessors, Ricky Ponting, said it was easy for England captain Ben Stokes to say what he would have done three hours after the incident, but Cummins made the call on the spot and it was the correct decision.

“Then this whole ‘spirit of cricket’ question is raised again. I’m absolutely a believer in it because there’s more to it than just that one in or out decision. It’s respecting your opponents, it’s respecting the opposition captain, it’s respecting the umpires, and it’s respecting the crowds,” Pointing said.

Cricket Australia chair and former NSW premier Mike Baird has also mounted a strong defence of the captain.

“The spirit of the game embodies many things – including the desire to win within the rules – which I believe we saw Pat Cummins and the team deliver on at Lord’s,” Mr Baird said.

“The spirit of the game should also inform how we behave as spectators and fans, and I’m thankful for the MCC’s interventions to ensure that stays the case in the future.”