Steve Smith is a solid dance partner. Very experienced. Just ask Travis Head and Usman Khawajaand Alex Carey and Cameron Greene. AND Beau Websterwho is out with him right now kicking his heels A hard day.
Smith, unbeaten on 129, was in his typical Ashes exhibition form at the SCG yesterday. England’s bowlers and fielders tried to trip him up at half-mashed, but the 36-year-old was too smooth. It turns out that the distraction from the crowd bothers him more than anything else Ben Stokes and what he could serve.
That Matthew Potts he was the one who served the second new ball, which just about sums up the English sermon. And you really have to feel for Potts, who could still become a symbol of his team’s ignominious tour (also feel for Will Jacks after dropping the headas countless viewers around the world simultaneously stated that they wouldn’t hang their heads under these circumstances).
This was the third day of the fifth Test in Sydney. Jan McGrath day. The day Head brought up his 12th Test century and Smith his 37th. The day England burned its last two reviews on the night watchman, Michael Neser (24). The day Smith outclassed England Jack Hobbs (3636 runs) to become the second highest scorer in Ashes history. Given Don Bradman5028 is probably unassailable, it should be the moment you enjoy. Also, revel in the fact that Australia’s innings have now put together seven 50-plus partnerships, which must be close to some kind of Test record, but I don’t know the answer to that.
Today is day four and Smith (129) and Webster (42) continue to bat as long as humanly possible with two days to go and have to bat last. An unlikely statement, you might think. Or will England take an early wicket and take this decision out of Australia’s hands?
First ball at 10am AEDT.
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