Steve Smith, Ashes 2019
Steven Smith (Image Credit: ICC Twitter)

On the day one of the Ashes 2019, former Australian captain Steven Smith hit an incredible century. Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag enjoyed that innings and called him one of the best Test batsmen.

The Ashes 2019 has begun on Thursday (1st August), where the defending title holders Australia faced the hosts England at Edgbaston (Birmingham). Australian batting hugely struggled on the day one, but Steven Smith’s marvellous batting saved them.

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After winning the toss, the Aussie captain Tim Paine decided to bat first. However, nothing went according to their plan as both the openers went back to the pavilion in less than the first hour of the match.

Image Credit: ICC Twitter

Most of the next batsmen failed to put any fight against the home bowling line-ups. At one moment, the visitors were struggling on 122/8. However, Smith never gave up and built up good fighting first innings total along with the crucial helps from the lower-order batting.

Smith had an 88-run partnership with Peter Siddle for the ninth wicket. Siddle scored 44 runs off 85 balls with four fours. Then, Smith provided another 74-run last-wicket partnership with Nathan Lyon (12*).

Steven Smith scored 144 runs off 219 balls

Coming to bat at no.4, Smith fought hard against the English bowlers and never gave up. The right-handed batsman completed his half-century in 119 balls, where he hit four fours. Later, the former Aussie captain became destructive with the bat.

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Smith completed his century in 184 balls. He reached his 24th Test century with nine fours and only six. Then he added 41 runs off just 35 balls where he smashed seven fours and one six.

Steven Smith (Image Credit: Google)

 

Before the English pace bowler Stuart Broad bowled him, Smith scored 144 runs off 219 balls. In that innings, he hit 16 fours and two sixes. His batting helped Australia to manage the first innings total of 284 runs before losing all wickets. Apart from Smith, only two more Aussie batsmen reached the 20-run mark. These batsmen were Travis head (35 runs) and Peter Siddle (44 runs).

What a 100 for Steve Smith – Virender Sehwag

Like many cricket fans, the former Indian opener Virender Sehwag also enjoyed that innings. He called Smith as one of the best batsmen in Test cricket.

Virender Sehwag (Image Credit: BCCI)

Sehwag wrote on his official Twitter account, “What a 100 for Steve Smith. Under difficult conditions, arguably one of the best batsman in Test Cricket. #Ashes”

Among the English bowlers, the pacer Stuart Broad took five wickets (5/86) while Chris Woakes bagged three wickets (3/58). Also, Ben Stokes (1/77) and Moeen Ali (1/42) took one wicket each in that innings.

At stumps on day one, England were batting on 10/0.