As Steve Smith turns 32, a look back at his single-handed domination in the 2019 Ashes

That Australia’s Steve Smith is one of the greatest batsmen of this generation is without doubt. The former skipper might have at times annoy batting purists with his unorthodox strokeplay and eccentric behaviour out in the middle. But what cannot be denied is that he gets runs – lots of them. His record as a match-winner for Australia speaks for itself, as do his individual numbers. Over 7,000 Test runs at an average of 61.80 is nothing to scoff at. But never was his ability to single-handedly win games for Australia more evident than during the 2019 Ashes series in England.

As ‘Smudge’ turns 32, let’s take a look back at what many considered one of the greatest displays of batsmanship ever in a single Test series.

The background

It’s fair to say Steve Smith wasn’t winning any popularity contests back in 2019. His role in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal led to him and David Warner becoming public enemies #1 of the cricketing world.

Smith made his comeback in time for the 2019 World Cup, but while he scored four 50s Australia were unable to make it beyond the semi-finals.

What was more noticeable, however, was the reception the likes of Smith and Warner got during the tournament.

Whenever either of the two came out to bat, the boos rained down from all parts of the stadium except where the Aussie fans were seated. It was clear that for some, Smith was neither forgiven nor was what he did forgotten.

The tune would be very different come the end of Australia’s time in England.

Lording over the Ashes

The series began at Edgbaston and Australia couldn’t have asked for a worse start to the series. Batting first, they were bundled out for 284. Were it not for Smith’s fighting 144, they would have definitely scored less.

England ended the first innings with a respectable 90-run lead but it mattered little. Smith would score another ton in the second innings – this time supported by Matthew Wade, who got a century of his own.

Australia declared at 487/7, leaving England 398 to win the Test. They were dismissed for 146. Suddenly, the world of cricket focused more on Smith’s cricket than his controversy.

The Lord’s Test thereafter was one to forget for Smith. He scored 92 but a concussion caused by a Jofra Archer bouncer striking him below the ear meant he was substituted.

This meant he missed the third Test – a match remembered more for Ben Stokes’ heroics than anything else. But he was intrumental to their win in the fourth Test – a win that meant Australia would retain the Ashes.

Smith scored a classy double century in the first innings at Manchester, his third ton of the series. He was on course for a fourth ton in the second innings but was dismissed for 82.

He then made 80 in the penultimate innings of the series before being dismissed for 23 in the final innings. Amazingly, that was his lowest score of the series.

It was also the only innings he played where he didn’t score in excess of 50.

The revival of Steve Smith

Smith’s batting during the series – 774 runs scored at an average of 110.57 – is widely considered to be one of the best displays of batting during a Test series.

More importantly, it led to Smith becoming the talk of the cricket world but for the right reasons.

His form since that series for Australia has been up and down to say the least. However, few if any would bet against him returning to his best sooner rather than later.