Rivals and team-mates alike were left in awe of Steve Smith after the world's top-ranked Test batsman hit new heights in the third Ashes match against England at the WACA Ground on Saturday. The Australian captain reached his highest Test score yet with his second double-century, passed 1,000 Test runs for the year and also notched his fastest Test century in an innings that appeared to shatter England's resolve. At stumps, Smith was on 229 not out, having faced 390 balls, hitting 28 fours and one six as his stellar year continued.
It was his second century of the series and he didn't offer a single chance throughout. The closest England came to seeing the back of the star right-hander were two unsuccessful third-umpire reviews after having leg before wicket appeals turned down. English assistant coach Paul Farbrace said their best plans for the unorthodox Smith weren't troubling him. "Every team will talk about where to bowl to him," he said.
"But the way he is playing at the moment, he gets into some awkward positions but he gets his head back into the ball and keeps the bat face open. "He hits the ball from what seems likes strange positions, but he hits the middle of the bat on a consistent basis. "We've tried all sorts, we've thought about our plans to him for some time, but we've come up against a player in the form of his life playing absolutely fantastically."
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