Ashes 2019 | Virat Kohli is the best player I’ve seen, but Steve Smith’s centuries were just another level, says Justin Langer

With his side struggling at 122 for eight in the first innings of the first day of the Ashes, Smith battled the conditions, a fired-up hosts, and a hostile crowd to pull-off a century (144) that many reckon as one of the greatest ever. Australia got to 284, a respectable total. 

The bowlers then handed England a 90-run lead. The Aussies, in reply, were stuttering at 27 for two, when Smith stepped in to become only the fifth Australia to score a century (142) in either innings of a Test match. Australia posted 487 for seven and then bowled England out for 146 to win the match by 251 runs. 

“I said during the summer that Virat Kohli is the best player I have ever seen but that (Smith’s centuries) is just another level. Enormous character, enormous courage, ... unbelievable concentration, unbelievable physical stamina, unbelievable mental stamina, all traits of great players,” Langer told Reuters, reported Hindustan Times.

As he has so often said before, Langer once again reminded everyone that it is impossible to get Smith out in the nets. Smith always seemed to have the answers, he says.

“You throw to him in the nets and you literally feel like you can’t get him out and there’s no batsman like that and you just end up throwing a million balls and you are just lost for answers. I guess you would have to ask England how they feel about that and they had some interesting tactics for him. They would have studied him closely but he just has a knack, well, he is the best problem-solver in the game,” Langer said. 

After a comprehensive confidence-boosting performance, the visitors head to Lord’s for the second Test on 14th. With four matches remaining, the team from down under will know well that their dream of a first away Ashes win in nearly two decades is still a long way away. 

“(We) keep being honest about where we’re at; we’ve still only won one test match. And we’ve got a captain who is that focused in there and he’s the best wicketkeeper in the world. He’s a brilliant leader, and I thought tactically he was superb. He is so focused in this series, so there is no way he is going to let it slip and I guarantee you, I’m not going to let it slip either.” Langer added.