Steven Smith played an unforgettable knock on the day one of the Ashes 2019. While Smith hit his 24th Test century, he became the second-fastest to achieve this feat after beating the Indian stars Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar.
Ashes 2019 started on this Thursday (1st August) at Edgbaston. After winning the toss, the Australian captain Tim Paine decided to bat first. From the early morning session, the Australian batsmen hugely struggled against the English bowlers. Once, the visitors were battling on 122/8.
However, the English cricketers still failed to shake one of the greatest batsmen Steven Smith. The former Australian captain once again showed his magic, and it will be remembered for a long time. He came to bat at the no.4 position when Australia were struggling on 17/2. It was his first Test since the sandpaper-gate incident during the 2018 Cape Town Test.
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Despite observing one after one wicket falling at the other end, Smith was never frustrated. His classic batting saved the Australian team in that innings as they managed to score 284 runs before losing all wickets.
After completing his half-century in 119 balls, Smith batted more comfortably. The right-handed batsman completed his 24th Test century in 184 balls with nine boundaries and one over-boundary.
Steven Smith beat the Indian star cricketers and became the second-fastest to complete 24 Test centuries
While it was his 118th Test innings, Smith became the second-fastest batsman to complete 24 Test centuries. In this list, this 30-year-old put behind the Indian superstars Virat Kohli (123 Test innings), Sachin Tendulkar (125 Test innings) and Sunil Gavaskar (128 Test innings).
Only the legendary Australian cricketer Sir Donald Bradman is on top of this list. The right-handed batsman completed his 24 Test centuries at an incredible speed as he achieved this figure in just 66 Test innings.
Here are the top six fastest batsmen to complete their first 24 Test centuries
| Player (Team) | No. of innings to complete 24 Test centuries |
| Sir Donald Bradman (Australia) | 66 |
| Steven Smith (Australia) | 118 |
| Virat Kohli (India) | 123 |
| Sachin Tendulkar (India) | 125 |
| Sunil Gavaskar (India) | 128 |
| Matthew Hayden (Australia) | 132 |
Steven Smith scored 144 runs off 219 balls before getting bowled out by the English pacer Stuart Broad. In that innings, Smith hit 16 fours and two sixes.
Among the other Aussie batsmen, only Travis Head (35 runs) and Peter Siddle (44 runs) reached the 20-run mark in that innings.
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England pacer Stuart Broad claimed his 17th Test five-wicket haul in that innings as he had the bowling figures of 22.4-4-86-5. Also, another pacer, Chris Woakes (3/58) took three wickets in that same innings.
In reply, England scored 10/0 at the stumps of that day.