Ashes 2017/18: The Cricket We Have Played Has Been Outstanding - Steven Smith
Almost everything fell in place for Australia in the last two months, and the result is there for all to see. A team that had lost a Test against Bangladesh not very long before the start of the Ashes and got outplayed in the limited-overs series in India thrashed England by an innings and 123 runs in the fifth and final Ashes Test on Monday (January 8) to win the series 4-0.
The writing was very much on the wall for England when they finished the fourth day on a precarious 93 for four still needing 210 runs to avoid an innings defeat or make Australia bat again. But even before the play started, the visitors suffered a huge setback, as their skipper Joe Root could not come out to bat after suffering a bout of gastroenteritis.
Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow managed to put up a brave stand, keeping the formidable Australian lineup at bay for almost an hour before Nathan Lyon dismissed the former for the seventh time in the series.
Ali’s departure saw Root coming out to bat and adding 16 runs to his overnight score of 16. The England skipper, however, did not come out to bat after the break. And any chances of saving the Test was soon ended when Bairstow fell soon after lunch without scoring.
The lower-order also failed to provide any resistance, as Australia reduced the visitors to 180 for nine to seal a thumping win and finish the series on a fitting note.
The win brought an end to a clinical series from Steven Smith & Co. If the batsmen did their part by scoring whenever the team needed, the bowlers did even better by taking wickets even on less friendly wickets.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Australia skipper Steven Smith lauded his side’s effort, singling out the bowlers for special praise and mentioning the hosts came out on top due to winning the key moments.
“It’s been a great couple of months. The cricket we have played has been outstanding. We were able to take 80 wickets in four Test matches, and I saw all the bowlers have taken more than 20 wickets. We haven’t relied on one person. Scoring big in the first innings has helped out. The batters have stood up through difficult periods and just won those key moments which has been crucial in this series. England had their foot in the door in all matches. They have played some exceptional cricket, and we were just able to get on top by winning the key moments,” he said.
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“Belief, playing here at home, knowing our roles and getting the job done. It’s nice to have these five Test matches without any injuries. So much work went in before the series. It’s tough here in Australia to get 20 wickets, but these guys did the job outstandingly well. The effort that they put has been amazing. I can’t thank them enough, and I am proud of everyone,” he added.
Smith was adjudged the Man of the Series for his stunning batting display. The world number one Test batsman scored a mind-boggling 687 runs with a stunning average of 137.40 and three centuries – including a career-best 239 in Perth.
“That’s part of batting; I love batting out in the middle and try to lead from the front. I worked really hard in the nets. I’m making good decisions consistently. I am really proud of the way I batted and have contributed from the front,” Smith said when asked about his batting.
Here is the news feed:
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SA vs IND 2018: Virat Kohli’s Form Will Be Very Important for the Side – Sourav Ganguly
Catch all the news related to Ashes here: Ashes 2017/18
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