On this day in 2019: Steve Smith made stunning return to Test cricket
Aug 01, 2021
New Delhi [India], August 1 : It was on this day, two years ago, when Australia batsman Steve Smith made a stunning return to the longest format of the game.
Smith was returning to Test cricket after being banned for one year for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal against South Africa in 2018. The right-handed batsman went on to register a century on his return to Test cricket in the first Ashes Test against England at Birmingham.
Smith came to bat with Australia at 17/2 in the first innings and the side was in a spot of bother. The visitors were then reduced to 122/8 and Smith had a monumental task at his disposal.
However, he went on to stitch a 88-run stand with Peter Siddle for the ninth wicket to take Australia's total past the 200-run mark. Smith eventually played a knock of 144 runs to take Australia's total to 284 in the first innings.
England, then registered a score of 374 runs in the first innings, gaining a lead of 90 runs over the visitors. However, Smith (142) also registered a century in the second innings to give England a target of 398 to win the first Test.
The hosts then capitulated for 146, giving Australia a win by 251 runs. Australia had retained the Ashes urn as the 2019 series against England ended in a 2-2 draw.
Smith finished the five-match series with 774 runs and he was named as Player of the Series.
