Ashes 2019 | This was always one I’ve wanted to tick off my bucket list, says Steve Smith on retaining Ashes
Steve Smith admitted that coming away from an away Ashes series with the urn retained was one he always wanted to tick off the bucket list. A patient Australian side broke through England’s stubborn rearguard effort from England on Sunday to win the fourth Test at Old Trafford by 185 runs.
He was there when the English thumped their oldest rivals 3-0 in 2013. He was there as vice-captain and leading run-scorer in the series when they lost narrowly (2-3) in 2015. But now, after a year-long ban from the game for his involvement in the sandpaper scandal, Smith has returned to finally conquer the old nemesis.
"It feels amazing to know the urn is coming home. I've been here a few times when things haven't gone our way. This was always one to tick off my bucket list. It's extremely satisfying," Smith told Sky Sports.
Set a huge second-innings target of 383 to win, England got off to the worst possible start in the final hour of Day four as Pat Cummins removed Rory Burns and Joe Root off successive balls. Early on Day five, however, Joe Denly and Jason Roy stuck in for more than an hour, but again Cummins picked up two in quick succession to dent their hopes massively.
Eventually, their resistance was worn down and the hosts were bowled out for 197, putting Australia 2-1 up in the five-Test series ahead of next week's finale at the Oval. Smith praised the Aussie bowlers’ for their patience throughout the three sessions on the final day.
"We thought we would get our eight chances. I thought (Craig) Overton was exceptional but fortunately, the boys got the job done. I am incredibly proud of how I have performed and what I have helped the team achieve,” Smith added.
Star of the show, although he has only featured in two and a half of the four Test matches completed, Smith has scored an astonishing 671 runs at an average of 134.2, including three centuries. Smith bagged the Man of the Match trophy for his performances of 211 and 82 in Manchester. Australia head to South London next for the final Test match at The Oval hoping to seal a first away series win in England since 2001.
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