Ashes

‘Best in the world’Ashes

Poms in awe of ‘new Don’

Seventeen months after the heartache, Steve Smith stopped the world. Again.

PETER LALOR

The AshesCricket

Australia head coach Justin Langer gestures during a press conference at Edgbaston, in Birmingham, England, Tuesday July 30, 2019. Australia will face off against England in their first cricket Ashes Test match starting Aug. 1. (David Davies/PA via AP)

‘Insatiable Smith has no peer’

Justin Langer says it is impossible to get Steve Smith out in the nets and nobody will be ordering him out any time soon.

Peter Lalor

The AshesCricket

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Mitchell Starc of Australia runs drinks to Steve Smith of Australia during Day One of the 1st Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston on August 01, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Race to play at Lord’s

Australia is trying to figure out a way to squeeze Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood into the playing XI for Lord’s.

Peter Lalor

Cricket

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Jason Roy of England spits after he was dismissed by Nathan Lyon of Australia during day five of the 1st Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston on August 05, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Where to now for battling England?

It tells a sorry story when your No 9 looks your most accomplished batsman. So what must do England do next?

Steve James

CommentaryThe Times Sport

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Pat Cummins of Australia celebrates after taking the wicket of Rory Burns of England during day five of the 1st Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston on August 05, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***

England’s fortress stormed

You have to go back to 2005 for the last time an away side did in the Ashes what Australia have done here.

Mike Atherton

Cricket

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: England captain Joe Root holds up the ball for umpire Joel Wilson to smell during day four of the 1st Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston on August 04, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Calls to scrap neutral Test umpires

The shambolic standard of umpiring in the Ashes opener has intensified calls for the ICC to scrap its use of neutral umpires.

Joe Barton

CommentaryCricket

Australia's Pat Cummins (R) and Australia's players celebrate after England are bowled out on the fifth day of the first Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England on August 5, 2019. - Australia beat England by 251 runs to win the first Ashes Test. England, set a target of 398 to win, collapsed to 146 all out on the last day. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Win for true believers

To paraphrase that same PM, Australia did England slowly. Our boys backed themselves out of a corner that looked like a cul-de-sac.

Gideon Haigh

Ashes First TestCricket

Australia's Nathan Lyon, right, celebrates with teammates after dismissing England captain Joe Root during day five of the first Ashes Test cricket match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Monday Aug. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Lyon king roars in epic win

Australia pull off a Test victory for the ages, beating England by 251 runs in the first match of the series | WATCH

PETER LALOR

BreakingCricket

Australia players celebrate after beating England by 251 runs during day five of the first Ashes Test cricket match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Monday Aug. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Australia win the first Test

Australia have completed an incredible comeback to rout England and win the first Test, at Edgbaston | WATCH

Tom Crystal and Peter Lalor

THE ASHESCricket

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Stuart Broad of England is caught out by Steven Smith of Australia during day five of the 1st Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston on August 05, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

The Miracle of Birmingham

Nathan Lyon sent English heads spinning with a six-wicket haul as Australia claimed the first Test at Edgbaston.

Peter Lalor

THE ASHESCricket

Australia's Steve Smith kisses his helmet as he celebrates reaching his century during play on the fourth day of the first Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England on August 4, 2019. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Smith the man of century

They will know this as the Steve Smith Test. The other players just courtiers in his royal presence.

Peter Lalor

CommentaryThe Times Sport

Australia's Steve Smith celebrates reaching his century during play on the fourth day of the first Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England on August 4, 2019. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Smith’s genius stumps weary England

The problem posed by the former captain is obvious enough. The solution for England, whose bowlers were battered into submission by his unwavering excellence, remains unclear.

Mike Atherton

CommentaryCricket

Nobody bats like Smith or ever has

There is no shifting the sporting world’s limelight from Australia’s champion redux.

Gideon Haigh

Ashes Tons to savourCricket

Aussies eye victory

Steve Smith and Matthew Wade lead Australia to a stunning Test turnaround | WATCH

Peter Lalor and Tom Crystal

THE ASHESCricket

Australia's Steve Smith gestures on the fourth day of the first Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England on August 4, 2019. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Smith still leads the bat pack

Where there’s Smith there’s hope. When he is out, so too are the lights.

Peter Lalor and at Edgbaston

the ashesCricket

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Steve Smith of Australia speaks to Tim Paine of Australia during day three of the 1st Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston on August 03, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Former captain is making the calls

Steve Smith might not be captain of the Australian side, but he is clearly leading the team.

Peter Lalor

commentaryCommentary

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Steve Smith of Australia bats as Jonny Bairstow of England keeps wicket during day three of the 1st Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston on August 03, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

While Smith remains, who knows?

His teammates keep asking miracles of him, and Steve Smith responds with true grit.

GIDEON HAIGH

First Ashes TestCricket

Australia's Usman Khawaja (L) walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket for 40 during play on the third day of the first Ashes cricket test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England on August 3, 2019. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Brittle batting crumbles again

Australia’s top order flops again with only Steve Smith stands between England and victory | WATCH

Peter Lalor and Tom Crystal

Ashes commentCommentary

England's Rory Burns plays a shot on the second day of the first Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England on August 2, 2019. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Battling Burns rewards faith

No one in their right mind would put Rory Burns in the same league as Steve Smith, but they speak the same language.

Mike Atherton

Ashes commentCommentary

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: James Pattinson of Australia celebrates after taking the wicket of Joe Denly of England during day two of the 1st Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston at Edgbaston on August 02, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Pattinson puts injury behind

A single over by James Pattinson made material a comeback to international bowling fully six years since his last Ashes Test.

Gideon Haigh

First Ashes TestCricket

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Rory Burns of England celebrates reaching his century during day two of the 1st Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston on August 02, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Burns puts heat on Aussie attack

If day one was Steve Smith’s, day two belonged to an England opener and his maiden Test ton | WATCH

Peter Lalor and Tom Crystal

Cricket

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Australia batsman Steve Smith hits out during day one of the First Specsavers Ashes Test Match between England and Australia at Edgbaston on August 01, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Steve Smith’s greatest hit

It was on a treacherous Pune dustbowl that Steve Smith hit what many regarded — until now — to be the finest ton of his career.

Joe Barton

ExclusiveNation

25/07/2019: Former Aussie cricketer and Jetson Industries board member Mike Kasprowicz (R) with Jetson founder Ben Tattersfield, and their connected cricket ball, before an investors presentation in Brisbane. Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Kasper’s ball to beat howlers

Ashes hero Steve Smith will soon be smashing a lot more than leather, if former Test star Michael Kasprowicz gets his way.

DAVID SWAN

Cricket

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Steve Smith of Australia celebrates after reaching his century during Day One of the 1st Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston on August 01, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Ton of pride

Steve Smith proved once again his vulnerability as a human being is countered by his lack of it as a batsman.

Peter Lalor in Birmingham

Cricket

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 21: Alex Carey of Australia bats during a training session at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton on July 21, 2019, ahead of the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England at Edgbaston. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Spurned Carey vows to fight on

Alex Carey has taken his Ashes omission on the chin and vowed to work even harder to realise his Australian Test dream.

Andrew Capel

TV RATINGSMedia

Australia's Steve Smith acknowledges the crowd as he leaves the field after being bowled by England's Stuart Broad for 144 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

Ashes attracts big audience

Almost 1 million TV viewers tuned in to watch Steve Smith’s triumphant return to test cricket last night.

ZOE SAMIOS

go figureCricket

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: The squad number 66 is shown on the back of the shirt of captain Joe Root during day one of the First Specsavers Ashes Test Match between England and Australia at Edgbaston on August 01, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

When numbers don’t add up

Cricket is supposed to be a numbers game but this is going too far.

Will Swanton

COMMENTARYCommentary

It’s not Smith who needs redemption

Steve Smith shouldn’t have to smash a century to be redeemed.

Jack the Insider

THE ASHESThe Times Sport

Steve Smith raises his bat after his century at Edgbaston (main), and looks at the field as the 100 sinks in (bottom left). It's a far cry from the emotiona of his post-Sandepapergate prerss conference (top right). Pictures:

How triumphant a comeback it was

What a Test century meant to Steve Smith was obvious as he ignored the boos and raised his bat.

Mike Atherton

Ashes First testCricket

Smith is not done yet

For a batsman gone so long without a Test, Steve Smith could hardly have been readier.

Gideon Haigh

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/topics/ashes/page/6