Steve Smith is officially back! The former captain has rescued his side once again – and the superstar had a message for his critics. LIVE BLOG HERE
Joe Barton
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
January 8, 2021 3:30PM
LIVE
Last updated January 8, 2021 3:31PM AEDT
For the first time since Manchester, 2019, Steve Smith has raised the bat to celebrate a Test ton.
It’s been a long time coming – 490 days, no less – and the Australian champion who until this week was the world’s No.1 Test batsman celebrated appropriately.
After nudging a straight ball off his hip, Smith pushed through for three and after completing the third run turned sharply and pointed his celebration at the team dressing room.
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Smith said it was good to shut up a few critics who have emerged after a slow period this series.
“I’m reading lots of things people are saying about (being) out of form – but I think there’s a difference between out of form and out of runs,” Smith said on Fox Cricket.
“It was just nice to score a few and maybe keep a few people quiet.”
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It was Smith’s 27th Test century, drawing him level with Allan Border and leaving him just one behind Michael Clarke – who sits in fifth on the all-time Australian leaderboard.
Smith has had a rough series to date, posting single figure scores in the first two Tests, but a return to the SCG has revived his superhuman powers.
