Steve Smith’s prolific run-scoring form continues as he reached his double hundred quite comfortably, well supported by Mitchell Marsh, who was drafted in the first XI in place of Peter Handscomb. All-rounder Marsh grabbed the opportunity with full hands as registered his first triple-figure score in front of his home crowd as the host is on its way to posting a mammoth total in the scoreboard in reply to England’s 403.
Mitchell Marsh was included in the team amid many speculations; however, he justified his selection with a well made hundred. Marsh replaced out of form Handscomb and was quick to make a mark with the bat. The right-handed batsman was in sublime touch as he muscled the ball to the boundary at ease.
On the other hand, Smith was at his best as he registered 1000 Test runs in a calendar year for the fourth time in a row, only behind his countrymen Matthew Hayden, who holds the record of doing it for five consecutive years. Smith displayed some fabulous stroke making capability as he reached his double century. The England bowlers looked out of place as they couldn’t form any resistance in front of Smith and Marsh.
The host Australia is on their way to post a huge total pushing the visitors to a corner; however, the touring England side will need a courageous effort from their cricketers to get back to the game.
Here is how the Twitter reacted after Marsh and Smith reached their feat:
What a player Steve Smith. Doesn’t look like he’s going to get out. Does he ? Well played #Ashes
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) December 16, 2017
That double hundred moment#ashespic.twitter.com/HVIM5OXQ36
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 16, 2017
Sensational 201* for @stevesmith49.
Look at his fire, fury & passion.
What a player, what a warrior, what a leader.
A man against meek minnows. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/iP9hZBPoBw— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 16, 2017
We give him plenty of stick but respect where it's due, that's an incredible knock from Steve Smith. Well played. #Ashes
— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) December 16, 2017
A master, an absolute master. Jeez I love Steve Smith, superb bat, brilliant, humble champion, deserves everything he gets! #Ashes
— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) December 16, 2017
If it doesn’t rain, I’m afraid to say it’s #Ashes to Australia.
Biggest difference in teams – pace bowlers!— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) December 16, 2017
IMO … @imVkohli is the best player across the 3 formats … But @stevesmith49 is the best in Tests … #OnOn #Ashes … Although I would really like both in the same team ….
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 16, 2017
Can’t really choose between Smith and Kohli at the moment. Both are in a league of their own. You have to just admire the way these modern wizards play #Ashes
— Stay Home – Stay Safe – Get Vaccinated ? (@hemangkbadani) December 16, 2017
You can just see how much that century meant to Mitch Marsh…#Ashes #BBCCricket pic.twitter.com/44Ky97uinB
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) December 16, 2017
There's no mistaking how much that means to Mitch Marsh. #Ashes
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) December 16, 2017
YOU BEAUTY! Cop that. A maiden Test ton for Mitch Marsh at his home ground in front of his friends and family. What a moment! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/honcREp2KB
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 16, 2017
Mitch Marsh take a bow! Supreme striking from the recalled allrounder as he reaches his first Test century in front of his home crowd! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/KmE3aCCcp1
— Cricket Network (@CricketNetwork) December 16, 2017
Our reader Swaroop tries to settle the Steve Smith v Virat Kohli debate. Agree with him?https://t.co/dAFmtsHC6x #Ashes pic.twitter.com/i8bmHnTlB2
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 16, 2017
Mitch Marsh joins brother Shaun in making a key #Ashes hundred in this series. They have come through for the selectors with flying colours
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) December 16, 2017
Oh c’mon…its too easy for you. Bat left handed in the second innings, Steve Smith. Simply Unstoppable. ?? #22 #Ashes
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 16, 2017
We can blame the bowlers all we like but Cook & Root, our two best & most experienced batsmen, haven’t turned up in this series. Australia’s big dogs, led by Smith, have. #ashes
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/Marcus_North/status/941934547410866181
Once upon a time Steve Smith wasn’t batting #ashes
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 16, 2017
Go you good thing! You SUPERCANNON – @mitchmarsh235.
????????????????#Ashes— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) December 16, 2017
The Marsh family now has 10 Test 100s in their kitty…..
Geoff: 4
Shaun: 5
Mitchell: 1
Second family (father + 2 sons) to make Test 100s after the Amarnaths (13 100s).
Lala: 1
Surinder: 1
Mohinder: 11#Ashes#AusvEng— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 16, 2017
Steve Smith in Tests…
first 22 inns: 620 runs, ave 29.52, 100s: 0, 50s: 5
next 86 inns: 5064* runs, ave 71.32, 100s: 22, 50s: 16#Ashes#AusvEng— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 16, 2017
I didn't think I'd see a batsman again in my life I'd love more than Ricky Ponting… #Ashes
— Ben Cameron (@BenCameron23) December 16, 2017
Officially worried ….. #Doomed #Ashes
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 16, 2017