Leading from the front, Steven Smith has been on song for Australia with the bat, as he smashed 21st Test hundred in his 105th Test innings which saw him give a 26-run lead for the hosts, in the first match of the Ashes 2017-18 in Brisbane on the third day of the riveting Test.
Interestingly, the New South Wales-born 28-year-old Smith scored remained unbeaten 141 off 326 balls.
Smith played a passionate knock, before thumping the badge of the Australian national team when he completed his triple-figure mark in style.
So much so, Smith after 105 innings in the Test fold, is further averaging at the staggering average of 61.23.
He has also smashed 21 fifties, as he amassed 5,511 runs in the five-day format after
the right-handed batsman Smith smashed 14 boundaries — to take Australia out of the trouble when they were struggling at 76 for four in 24.5 over at one stage.
Following the burgeoning success, Smith has transformed himself while playing an imperative role for Australia at the top particularly in the Test format which further saw his average rose to 61.58 soon after the first innings of the fourth Test against India early this year.
Owing to the remarkable run, it is also the highest average for the batsman while taking at least 100 hundred innings into consideration in the Test history (after the completion of the game).
Moreover, Smith became third quickest to smash 21 hundreds in the Test format, as his defiant century put Australia in command against visitors.
However, legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar is placed fourth after achieving the milestone in 110 innings followed by Mohammad Yousuf in 120 innings.
With his much-needed knock, Smith now registered 11 hundreds at home after collecting 10 hundreds in away fixtures.
Even the Smith was on the slower side, but he made it interesting as the records glore.
Smith registered his 13th Test century as a skipper in 48 Test innings which eventually saw him equalling former Australian captain Greg Chappell’s record.
However, Lyon was the last man-to-go on the bowling of Joe Root when Alastair Cook completed a catch. Lyon scored 22-ball nine runs while Pat Cummins scored vital 42 off 120 deliveries.
(Read Further: Ashes 2017/18: Stuart MacGill Feels Nathan Lyon Is the Best Spinner In the World)
After England was restricted to 302 in 116.4 overs, as Australia managed 328 in 130.3 overs.
This is how Twitter reacts after sensational Smith smashed another hundred:
Steve Smith's current average 61.23 is the highest he has reached in his career. Also highest for any batsman in Test history with at least 100 innings. #Ashes
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) November 25, 2017
Steve Smith is an absolute gun. This innings has been nothing short of first class. Like Alan Border in years gone by leading from the front as Skipper – great stuff. #Ashes #goAussies #AusvEng
— David Shortte (@Shortte) November 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/Rohitswarrior_/status/934298672849854465
Find it wild that an erratic leg spinner and jerky, weird batter is by far the best batsman in the world in Test cricket. Steve Smith is boss
— Snakes (@coNor_Silcock) November 25, 2017
I was once in a completely different class to all my friends at school, so I know exactly how Steve Smith is feeling. #ashes #AUSvENG
— Tom Carpenter (@Carpo34) November 25, 2017
During this Steve Smith innings, that pool couple has got married, had a couple of kids, separated, reconciled and moved to Perth. #Ashes
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) November 25, 2017
Steve Smith bats like one of those tailenders that you can never get out, even though they look hopeless. Then all of a sudden, he's got a hundred . . . #Ashes
— Front Foot Cricket (@FrontFootCric) November 25, 2017
Steve Smith now has
7 Centuries vs India
6 Centuries vs EnglandHis most dominated opponent!
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) November 25, 2017
Steve Smith played the Captain's knock of 141* no which took OZ team to 328 to take 1st ining lead.
— I AM Modi Totlani Krishan?? (@kktotlani) November 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/CountdownAus/status/934306962916892674
He came in as a leg spinner and now he is one of the best batsman in the world..Take a bow @stevesmith49 #SteveSmith ???
— Shailesh Bendre (@shaileshDB02) November 25, 2017
@stevesmith49 The Curious case of Steve Smith. His rise in the game as a batsman is absolutely astonishing. Best in the tests right now. #Ashes
— Eashwar B'bhaktula (@eashwar_b) November 25, 2017
Superman Steve Smith continues to soar!#Ashes #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/Qnd7EEeN1J
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) November 25, 2017
Steve Smith's innings was 512 minutes – just one minute short of his longest Test innings, which is amazing #Ashes
— Ricky Mangidis (@rickm18) November 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/vinaykushwahaa6/status/934305292396806146
https://twitter.com/RSBHAT/status/934305049727057920