Twitter Goes Berserk As Steve Smith Scores Heroic Ton On Test Comeback

When Steve Smith was banned for a year for the infamous sandpaper scandal, he was the undisputed king in Tests. The former Australia skipper was at the top of the ICC Test rankings and was threatening to break the rating points of none other than the legendary Don Bradman. Well, his love story with Test cricket hit an unexpected hurdle but it did not matter much when he finally made his much-awaited return to Tests in the ongoing first Ashes Test.

Read More : Ashes 2019: England vs Australia, 1st Test , Day 1 – Report

Smith not only marked his comeback with a sublime ton but also rescued Australia after Tim Paine elected to bat. Playing his first Test since the Cape Town ball-tampering saga, Smith reached his century off 184 balls to drag Australia past 200 after they were reduced to 35 for 3 and then 122 for 8.

While Australia were losing wickets at regular intervals at one end, Smith held firm to help his side remain in the game. Batting with No.11 Nathan Lyon, Smith turned down singles on 99 to put team first and keep England bowlers at bay. His perseverance finally paid off when he hit a boundary to reach his 24th ton in Tests.

Also Read: We Have To Respect Virat Kohli’s Opinion On Coach Selection: Kapil Dev

“You can see there it means a lot to him,” Shane Warne said on air. “Out of the game for a period of time. First Tset match back, makes a hundred and it’s an emotional one for him too. He’s been through a lot in the last 12 months and he deserved that hundred.

Smith was well supported by Peter Siddle who scored 44 and added 88 runs for the ninth wicket. Unsurprisingly, there were congratulatory messages from all around as the cricketing world lauded Smith for his heroic knock on his comeback.

Here are some of the messages:

What a 100 for Steve Smith. Under difficult conditions, arguably one of the best batsman in Test Cricket. #Ashes

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 1, 2019

Steve Smith celebrates his return to cricket with an extraordinary Edgbaston century.

They missed you Smithy! pic.twitter.com/guj3JX8xsH

— Peter Lalor (@plalor) August 1, 2019

One of the all time Outstanding Test Innings … To do that in his 1st Innings back in Test Cricket is remarkable … Sometimes you have to admire greatness … @stevesmith49 is some player … #Ashes

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 1, 2019

This innings will give Steve Smith a huge amount of satisfaction. Pain insult suffering and now this.
Top knock from a top player. Well played.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) August 1, 2019

He did his time. A year ban was too long if you ask me anyway. He’s back. He’s world class. And I think cricket is better for him playing it.

— Elizabeth Ammon (@legsidelizzy) August 1, 2019

@stevesmith49 just finds a way, his way! ? #Genius #ENGvAUS #Ashes

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) August 1, 2019

Cannot keep a good man down. Well played Steve Smith dragging the Aussies back in the contest. Siddle deserves a mention too for his knock. #Ashes

— Niall John O Brien (@niallnobiobrien) August 1, 2019

@stevesmith49 true class. #ashes2019 #ENGvAUS #ausveng pic.twitter.com/oZ3pGptBfM

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) August 1, 2019