Steve Smith leads Australia revival in fifth Ashes Test

29.07.2023 - 00:35 arabnews.com

LONDON: Steve Smith’s 71 helped Australia recover from a batting collapse as the tourists frustrated England by battling to a first-innings lead in the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval on Friday.

Australia were eventually bowled out for 295 on the second day, 12 runs ahead of England’s 283. It looked as if England would enjoy a sizeable advantage as veteran seamer Stuart Broad sparked a slump that left Australia 185-7 from a comfortable 115-2 at lunch.

But Smith and Australia captain Pat Cummins (36) kept England at bay during an eighth-wicket stand of 54. Cummins then added 49 for the ninth wicket with Todd Murphy.

Off-spinner Murphy — recalled following last week’s rain-marred drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford — added to England’s woes with a sparkling 34 off just 39 balls.

cricket Ben Stokes Old Trafford Test Joe Root Pat Cummins Zak Crawley Steve Smith Virat Kohli Brendon Maccullum England Cricket Todd Murphy Australia India county Stokes

The 2023 Ashes was undoubtedly one of themost exciting cricketing contests to have been held in recent times. After losing the first two Tests, England proudced a remarkable turnaround to win draw the series 2-2. But, what happened after the conclusion of the series left a bitter taste in the mouths of fans. England and Australian players were to have beers at the Oval but the plan had to be postponed as the host players didn't come out of their dressing room hours.

Steve Smith To Open For Australia Against South Africa In T20 Career First

Steve Smith will open the batting when Australia meet South Africa in an upcoming Twenty20 series, selectors said, putting him in the box seat to do the job alongside David Warner at next year's World Cup. It is a remarkable renaissance for the 34-year-old, who was largely overlooked for Australia's starting XI at last year's failed T20 World Cup campaign. Smith, who usually bats at three or four, relaunched himself as an opener for the Sydney Sixers in a short Big Bash League cameo at the end of last season, smacking two sizzling centuries.

Steve Smith to open the batting for Australia against South Africa in T20 career first

Watch: Steve Smith's Cheeky Gesture At James Anderson As Stuart Broad Gets Guard Of Honour

The ongoing Ashes 5th Test at the Oval is the final time the pairing of James Anderson and Stuart Broad will be bowling in tandems for the England team. Broad, who announced his decision to retire on Day 3 of the Test, will be wearing the England jersey for the final time on the 5th day of the match. On Day 4, Broad also received a Guard of Honour from the Australian team as he walked out to bat alongside Anderson. However, Australia batter Steve Smith also poked fun at Anderson as the tourists gave Broad the Guard of Honour.

Ashes: Were Umpires Right In Ruling Out Ben Stokes' Catch Of Steve Smith? ICC Makes Big Statement

Team England needed a crucial wicket on the last day of the last Ashes Test to contain Australia and believed they had Australia's star batter Steve Smith close to lunch on Day 5 but the batter was ruled not out. In the 66th over, Smith was batting on 39 and England captain Ben Stokes appeared to have caught the ball at leg gully as it popped off the batter's glove of Moeen Ali's loopy delivery. Umpire Joel Wilson said it was not out and Stokes went for review.

Watch: Ben Stokes Celebrates Too Early, Drops Steve Smith's Catch In Bizarre Fashion

Ben Stokes gave Australia's Steve Smith a potentially match-changing reprieve after early wickets revived England's hopes of a series-levelling win on the last day of the final Ashes Test at The Oval on Monday. Australia were 238-3 at lunch, needing 146 more runs to reach a mammoth target of 384 runs, with rain threatening to intervene. Smith, then on 39, gloved off-spinner Moeen Ali onto his thigh in the last over before lunch. The ball looped to England captain Stokes at leg gully, who grabbed it one-handed above his head. But as his arm came down, his hand clipped his leg and he dropped the ball. Star batsman Smith was initially given not out and an England review confirmed Stokes's error.