SM
Real Madrid vs. Mallorca: 21 hrs 44 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Steve Smith: "I'm not sure I have ever played better"

:Headline: Steve Smith: 'I'm not sure I have ever played better': ID:370808: from db_amp
Smith scored 211 and 82 in the fourth Test at Old Trafford as Australia retained the Ashes.

Steve Smith feels he is in the form of his life after playing a starring role in Australia's Ashes success in England.

Australia retained the urn with a match to spare by completing a hard-fought 185-run win in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

Victory was secured when England were bowled out for 197 on Sunday evening but it was set up by the brilliance of Smith.

Smith scored 211 and 82 in the match on his return from injury, following up on his knocks of 144, 142 and 92 earlier in the series.

It has been a brilliant return to Test cricket for Smith, following his high-profile sacking as captain and suspension following Australia's ball-tampering scandal last year.

Smith said: "We came here to win the Ashes. We'll celebrate hard tonight, knowing the urn is coming home, but we also want to win at the Oval.

"I'm not sure I have ever played better. I have come back fresh from a year out, but relaxed and chilled out.

Smith scored 82 in his second innings at Old Trafford (Mike Egerton/PA)

"I want to be the one in the middle doing my job for the team as I don't particularly enjoy watching cricket!"

Australia captain Tim Paine also paid tribute to Smith.

He said: "Anyone who has watched him bat knows the talent, hunger and skill that he has got, but people don't see how driven he is and how he trains, eats and sleeps batting.

"He is just a genius and I never had any doubt he would come back and be the player he was. The scary thing is he's getting better. I don't know where it is going to stop but we are enjoying being on the ride that is for sure."

Paine also hailed the character of his squad to bounce back after a shattering loss in the third Test at Headingley.

He said: "There were a few nervous moments there coming off Headingley but I thought we learnt from that, held our nerve and bowled really well against a team that fought really hard like we knew they would.

"In terms of what we've been able to achieve as a group it is pretty satisfying from where we've come from in the last 18 months.

"It's great character, it shows the great people we have got and shows we've also got some really good cricketers in our team. I am also proud of our staff.

"Also from where we've come from even from last week. That was a loss that would break a lot of teams. I could feel it during the week but we turned up here and did our job like good sports teams do."

amp_article__370808 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-09-08 20:08:02:
html db last update - 2019-09-08 20:08:02 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Steve Smith

Click here for more stories about Australia

Share this article now:
Read more about Steve Smith Tim Paine Cricket
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .