The juggernaut called Steve Smith continues to torment England in the ongoing Ashes. While the world was speculating that Smith would struggle in the ongoing fourth Test after the bouncer blow that made him miss the second innings of the second Test and the third Test, the former Australia skipper has done even better.

Steve Smith, who registered scores of 144, 142 and 92 in his previous three innings of this series, scored a sublime double century in the ongoing game. Starting the day on 60, Smith brought up his 26th Test ton five minutes before lunch. It was his eleventh Ashes ton which is the second most by an Australian, with Don Bradman leading the way with 19.

By the time the second session ended, Steve Smith had notched up 173. He also had some lady luck on his side. Smith would have departed for 118 shortly after lunch having edged Jack Leach to slip but he got a reprieve when replays showed the bowler had overstepped. Before that, Jofra Archer had also missed a catch off his own bowling while Smith was yet to reach his century.

Also Read: First Cricketer To Hit A Century For Each Team In Test Format

Steve Smith
Steve Smith (Credits: Twitter)

But then again, fortune favours the brave and Smith made the most of it. He went on to score his third double century in Tests. Remarkably,  all three of Smith’s double centuries have been scored against England. Steve Smith brought up his double century off 310 balls when he whipped a full delivery from Craig Overton past mid-on. In the process,  he also became the first Australian since Allan Border in 1981-85 to score 500+ runs in consecutive Ashes series in England.

The cricketing world, nonetheless, was once again amazed at Smith’s sheer consistency and could not help but lavish praise on him. Here are some of the reactions:

 

 

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