Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.
Venue- The Gabba, Brisbane [November 2017].
In the summer of 2017, the English cricket team toured Australia to defend their Ashes title. Both the teams were in the best of form, so everyone was expecting an exciting contest between the two powerhouses of the game. However, it is pertinent to note that when a series of this magnitude takes place, then everyone wants to start in a great fashion so that they can have the momentum and motivation throughout the series.
Against this backdrop, Joe Root won the toss and decided to bat first in the first test at Gabba. The Visitors failed to get a good start as their former captain Cook departed for just 2 runs. However, post this, the English made a strong fightback and ended up posting a formidable score of 302 in their first innings.
In response, the hosts at one stage were struggling at 76/4. However, Captain Smith and Shaun Marsh shared a 100-run stand as the Aussies made a comeback in the game. But 3 quick wickets again reduced them to 209/7, still 93 runs behind the English total. It appeared that England would deliver the first punch in this highly anticipated Ashes Series.
However, Captain Smith stood strong and made sure that the Aussies went past the English first innings score. Smith scored a brilliant 141 of 326 deliveries and brought his side back into the game. Due to his monumental effort, the Hosts ended up scoring 328 in their first innings. The captain indeed led from the front.
The English were completely bamboozled in their second innings as the Australian Bowling Line-Up blew them away for a mere 195 runs. The hosts now required just 170 runs to win the first test and take a 1-0 lead in the series. David Warner and debutant Cameron Bancroft did not disappoint the home supporters as they chased it down comfortably.
The hosts were truly up and running with a 10-wicket win, but this could not have been possible without the masterclass of Steve Smith.
To watch the knock of Steve Smith, Click Here.
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