Steve Smith’s epic 229 not out, and Mitchell Marsh’s storming unbeaten 181, gave Australia complete control of the Test on a desperate day for England
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Related: Steve Smith’s double ton has Australia motoring out of England’s Ashes sight
152nd over: Australia 549-4 (Smith 229, M Marsh 181) In the final over, Smith brings up the 300 partnership with a single off Woakes. Australian fans will talk about this day for decades. Their team made 346 for the lost of just one wicket, and now have nine fingers on the little urn. Steve Smith made 229 not out, an innings of terrifying certainty, and Mitchell Marsh gave a masterclass in clean hitting to reach a memorable first Test century.
It was a miserable day for England, whose lack of pace and mystery spin was excruciatingly evident. They can still save this game and draw the series, but they need to do some urgent repair work on a collective spirit that was shattered at the Waca today. Thanks for your company, night!
151st over: Australia 547-4 (Smith 228, M Marsh 180) A short ball from Moeen is cut for four by Smith, who looks like he could go all night. He’s a paragon of unapologetic sporting greed. “Just to remind you all,” says Michael Vaughan on BT Sport, speaking with a solemnity usually reserved for Crimewatch presenters appealing for witnesses to a heinous assault. “If you can give England any kind of idea how to get Steve Smith out, please get in touch.”
150th over: Australia 540-4 (Smith 222, M Marsh 179) There are three overs remaining today, and Chris Woakes replaces Malan. One from the over. Australia are playing for the close, reminding England that this game is being played entirely on their terms. They’re almost humiliating England by not smacking them round the park.
149th over: Australia 539-4 (Smith 221, M Marsh 179) I honestly cannot think of a single thing to say.
148th over: Australia 538-4 (Smith 220, M Marsh 179) “Hi Rob,” says Tony Hastings. “I’m currently passing over the Swiss Alps on the amazing Bernina Express, only taking my eyes off the jaw-dropping scenery to see the even more jaw-dropping scorecard. God bless the internet (and the Aussie selectors)!”
147th over: Australia 536-4 (Smith 219, M Marsh 178) Moeen replaces Broad, who has had possibly his most chastening day in Australia. Three from the over. Australia lead by 133.
“I’m not sure,” says Andrew Hurley, “that Mitchell Marsh would get 175 not out batting against you and me...”
146th over: Australia 533-4 (Smith 218, M Marsh 176) Smith pops the ball just short of the bowler Malan. He’s bowled well, Malan, and we might see a bit more of him in the last two Tests.
Good afternoon Rob,” says Mahendra Killedar. “Sorry but this isn’t a contest. England are missing aggression. You need a strong leader like Ganguly OR Kohli to beat Aussies at own their game.”
145th over: Australia 531-4 (Smith 217, M Marsh 175) The weary Broad strays onto the pads of Marsh, who puts him away with the minimum of fuss. Mitchell Marsh has 175 not out. Mitchell Marsh has 175 not out.
“Swanny, on commentary, seems to be obsessed with the opinion that Jonny Bairstow isn’t shouting enough encouragement to England’s bowlers,” says Gary Naylor. “But we can hear him burbling away and... it’s not making any difference, Better players playing better cricket would though.”
144th over: Australia 526-4 (Smith 216, M Marsh 171) Smith skips down the track to drive Malan superbly for four, and a single off the next ball makes this Smith’s highest Test score. Rarely has something so epic felt so inevitable.
143rd over: Australia 521-4 (Smith 211, M Marsh 171) Marsh tucks into the new bowler Broad, square driving and pulling consecutive boundaries. He has totally dominated this partnership of 273 with Steve Smith, who has almost been the Tavare to his Botham.
142nd over: Australia 511-4 (Smith 211, M Marsh 161) Australia are handling Malan with care, and he is bowling with enough skill to make you wonder where he has been all day. That’s a maiden to Smith. There are 50 minutes’ play remaining. The forecast for the next two days is mixed, so England could still get out of this game with a draw. Gotta take those positives!
141st over: Australia 511-4 (Smith 211, M Marsh 161) Steve Smith continues to potter along, getting a single here and there. On BT Sport, Graeme Swann says the England batsmen are to blame today for not giving enough energy to the bowlers. That’ll go down well on social media.
“Maybe, just maybe…” begins Matt Dony. “What if Anderson harnesses the belated reverse swing, and swings the ball so hard it reverses the spin of the Earth slightly, thus turning back time?”
140th over: Australia 510-4 (Smith 210, M Marsh 161) This is good stuff from Malan, who deceives Marsh and finds a thick inside-edge that lands safely.
This is just like India last year: England make 400 and think they're in the game, only for reality to bite
139th over: Australia 509-4 (Smith 209, M Marsh 161) Smith now averages over 100 in the first innings of Tests in Australia. That’s over seven years and 27 matches. He also has a conversion rate of 85 per cent in those matches. The man is a walking statgasm.
138th over: Australia 503-4 (Smith 207, M Marsh 155) England turn to their seventh bowler, the part-time legspinner Dawid Malan. He gets some nice turn and bounce, and is milked for a couple of three singles. It looks like Australia will definitely bat until the close. They’ll regret that if this match is a rain-affected draw and England plug them by an innings at Melbourne and Sydney!
“Uplifting Christmas songs?” sniffs Simon McMahon. “How about this, it could have been written for England cricket fans in Australia. ‘The hopes we had were much too high, Way out of reach but we have to try, No need to to hide, no need to run, Cos all the answers come one by one. The game will never be over, because we’re keeping the dream alive.’ It is over though, isn’t it?”
137th over: Australia 500-4 (Smith 207, M Marsh 154) Smith pushes Anderson for two to bring up the 500. The camera cuts to the Barmy Army, who are celebrating. Their number includes one weathered slab of masculinity who is wearing a T-shirt and Union Jack Y-fronts. A grown man.
Anderson is getting a bit of reverse swing now. Big whoop whoop.
136th over: Australia 498-4 (Smith 205, M Marsh 155) Moeen goes around the wicket to Marsh, who slaughters a wide ball over cover for four. That brings up the 250-run partnership. Later in the over he is beaten in the flight and almost offers a caught-and-bowled. The ball bounced fractionally in front of moeen.
135th over: Australia 494-4 (Smith 205, M Marsh 150) Jimmy Anderson returns to the attack, doubtless high on life, and starts with a maiden to Smith. Australia seem in ho particular hurry, which suggests they won’t declare tonight.
Malan and Bairstow's 237 partnership is now the highest 5th wicket partnership that isn't the highest 5th wicket partnership of the Test in which it was made.
134th over: Australia 494-4 (Smith 205, M Marsh 150) Smith has barely played an attacking stroke in the last couple of hours. There’s been no need, with Marsh pumping the bowling to all parts. And despite Smith’s careful accumulation, he is still scoring at an excellent rate: his 205 has come from 322 balls.
133rd over: Australia 493-4 (Smith 204, M Marsh 150) Marsh slaps Woakes up and over for four, another coruscating stroke, and a quick single takes him to a memorable 150. It’s been a storming innings, from just 188 balls and with 25 fours, and will make for a helluva highlights package. He has the ball so cleanly.
“Morning Rob,” says Kim Thonger. “What’s disturbing me at the moment are advances in human cloning technology. It may well be possible for Australia to clone a virile young team in years to come consisting of five Steve Smiths, four Glenn McGraths, a Rodney Marsh and a Shane Warne. The Ashes would be theirs forevermore.”
132nd over: Australia 487-4 (Smith 203, M Marsh 145) Moeen has the thankless task of holding up an end until the declaration. He’s doing it pretty well, actually, and finds a thick edge from Marsh that runs away for two. The next ball is turned round the corner for four, despite a good effort from the admirable Overton.
“Rob,” says Grif. “Surely there’s a plot twist in all this, or have I been watching too many box sets?”
131st over: Australia 480-4 (Smith 203, M Marsh 138) Marsh mistimes a pull off Woakes, with one hand coming off the bat. The ball lands a few yards short of deep midwicket.
“It’s unkind,” says Paul Bradford, “but in this series if we swapped Smith for Root?”
130th over: Australia 479-4 (Smith 203, M Marsh 137) “Hi, from a quiet corner of UCL’s library, in London,” says Gil Southwood. “I’ve been up all night working through an assignment on the effects of cuts to corporate tax on income and labour welfare. it was due last Friday, of course. If a friend on my course happens to be reading your updates (I know she usually does) - you know who you are and I’m sorry for the stress I’ve caused in being this late. I’ll turn it around next year. All the best, and hoping to see Christmas-tree-topper Nathan Lyon bowl before stumps.
You should be careful about spending all night at the library. Who’s hallucenationing now?
129th over: Australia 479-4 (Smith 203, M Marsh 137) Woakes replaces Root, bowls short, is put away by Marsh. A Root misfield later in the over adds to England’s tome of woe. They’ve gone. It’s easy to criticise but empathy is preferable to eejitry. This would break almost anyone’s spirit.
“Yesterday I was gloating on the OBO about being in Bali but now I’m stuck in a shopping centre in Perth and an Australian man has just explained to me that it’s impossible to get Steve Smith out,” says Kat Petersen. “Yeah, thanks. I’d kind of figured that out by now.”
128th over: Australia 471-4 (Smith 202, M Marsh 130) You have to take the positives in a situation like this, and at least I had money on 5-0 before the series. The Barmy Army are still going strong. I can’t decide whether that’s heroic or moronic.
127th over: Australia 469-4 (Smith 200, M Marsh 129) Marsh hits two more boundaries off Root. I really think Australia should have a dash and put England in for the last hour. They could easily pick up three wickets and effectively finish the series.
126th over: Australia 460-4 (Smith 200, M Marsh 121) That’s it! Smith works Moeen to leg to reach an immense, inevitable double-century. He swishes his bat violently in celebration, his coupon contorted with happy aggression to such an extent that for a moment it looks like bits are going to pop out of his face. It’s been a masterpiece of authority, ruthlessness and skill. He is an absolute genius, the best Test cricketer in the world by a million miles. And if you’re into the whole stats thing, he is the greatest batsman since Don Bradman. Let that marinate for a bit.
125th over: Australia 459-4 (Smith 199, M Marsh 121) Smith works Root to leg for a single. He’s crawling to his double-hundred, because he can.
124th over: Australia 458-4 (Smith 198, M Marsh 121) Marsh rocks back to cuff Moeen through extra cover for four. England are going round the Waca. Thing is, despite everything, we could go to Melbourne with the series still alive. England shouldn’t lose on this pitch. But I suppose that doesn’t take into account the mental disintegration they have suffered for the past 80 overs or so.
“Morning Rob,” says David Horn. “When Brian Lara reclaimed the highest individual test score from Matthew Hayden, Steve Waugh was quite sniffy about it, essentially saying that an Australian would never do that: chase an individual record, when the team needed something else. Well, if Steve Smith finishes the day on 240, he could conceivably get there by tea tomorrow (I know it’s tight). I think he’d relish the opportunity to really crush us. Properly destroy us. Which would neatly provide both the team goal and the individual record. I’m off to Generic Betting Company to check the odds.”
123rd over: Australia 453-4 (Smith 197, M Marsh 117) Smith’s highest Test score is 215, made at Lord’s in 2015, the series in which he was found out by the England bowlers. Joe Root comes on to bowl. His first ball is pushed down the ground by Smith and bounces up to hit Root in the manzone. Not since Gary Lineker self-defecated in the opening game of Italia 90 has there been such rich symbolism in an England match.
122nd over: Australia 450-4 (Smith 195, M Marsh 116) John Cleese was wrong. I can’t even take the despair any more.
“Rob,” says Brian Withington. “I am feeling personally culpable for England’s miserable day, as I have been distracted through the night editing a fundraising page. I’m aiming for a century of my own next year, losing weight and getting mobile in a very good cause. Thought I would share this with you before the great improbable Ashes fight back from oblivion, as it will surely come to be known down the ages. (I fancy my chances more than England’s at the moment.)
121st over: Australia 449-4 (Smith 194, M Marsh 113) “Is George Davis still in jail?” says Chris Webb.
120th over: Australia 442-4 (Smith 191, M Marsh 112) Marsh drives Moeen through extra cover for four. Meanwhile, here’s some exclusive footage of every England cricket supporter in the world.
119th over: Australia 437-4 (Smith 190, M Marsh 108) A short ball from Overton is cracked through midwicket for four by Marsh. His hitting has been so clean throughout this innings.
118th over: Australia 430-4 (Smith 189, M Marsh 102) Smith turns Moeen round the corner for four more. Lalala.
“The scale of this thumping takes me nostalgically back to the innocent days of my 1990s childhood, where there were more certainties in life; and, less poisonously than Brexit, the most divisive question in British society was did you prefer Blur or Oasis,” says Christian Cummins. “Bring on Tuffers to bowl?”
117th over: Australia 425-4 (Smith 184, M Marsh 102) Craig Overton returns to the attack. His attitude is admirable, particuarly given the hairline crack in his rib and the compound fracture in England’s spirit. He has every excuse to sit in the dressing-room and let somebody else do the miserable yakka. Overton rips a good bouncer past Smith, who is caught in two minds and ends up lunging inside the line. Well bowled.
116th over: Australia 424-4 (Smith 183, M Marsh 102) For England fans, the time has come: to read Tim de Lisle’s brilliant introduction to the Wisden report of the 1998 series against South Africa, and cling to that precedent like a liferaft. Moeen begins after tea, with three runs from the over. This will be a long session, two and a half hours, so Australia do have the option of shoving a demoralised England in for 15 overs or so. I doubt they will but I think they should. The precedent of Adelaide 2002 demands it.
“I’ve come to a view on this Ashes series,” says James Clark.
England have confirmed that Craig Overton, who has bowled a fair bit today, has a hairline crack in his rib.
“Dear Rob,” says Di Brown. “What does OBO stand for? I’ve been trying to figure it out but no luck.”
It means Over by Over. Though when Steve Smith bats it becomes OBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBO.
It’s been England’s session: they restricted Australia to 107 runs in the session for the loss of no wick- oh I can’t be bothered. Australia have been brilliant, England’s have been broken. See you in 10 minutes for the evening session.
115th over: Australia 421-4 (Smith 182, M Marsh 100) Broad ushers Marsh closer to his first Test hundred with a short, wide delivery that is flashed through backward point for four. That takes him to 96, and a fast-handed square drive for four brings up a brilliant maiden century! Well played Mitchell Marsh! He snaps his head back and lets out a primeval roar. Wonderful stuff.
That was a memorable celebration. He coudn’t get his helmet off fast enough; he was like a horny virgin in a teen film, frantically undressing lest the moment pass. Jonny Bairstow was among the England players to applaud a classic Waca hundred, full of emphatic cuts and straight drives. It took just 130 balls, with 17 pristine fours. And with that, it’s time for tea.
114th over: Australia 413-4 (Smith 182, M Marsh 92) Moeen Ali returns to the attack. Smith works him through midwicket for two. What should England do with Moeen? A lot depends on Stokes but it’s quite a complicated subject - instinct says they should pick him as a batsman who bowls or not all, but in the absence of a top-class spinner I’d probably continue with him until Crane is ready. I would have dropped him at the start of last summer to play Rashid but that ship has sailed now.
113th over: Australia 410-4 (Smith 180, M Marsh 91) Smith edges Broad just short of Cook at slip. He’s been a bit subdued in the last hour, with Marsh doing most of the run-scoring at the other end. I suspect he’s recharging his batteries for the big push between 200 and 300. OH WHAT’S THE POINT. A decent over from Broad ends when he has a kick at fresh air as the ball goes past him.
112th over: Australia 410-4 (Smith 180, M Marsh 91) Marsh moves into the nineties with a glorious straight-driven four off Woakes. Australia’s selectors, the morons masquerading as mentors, have had quite a series.
“Rob,” says John Starbuck. “Courtesy of Britannica. If it had a few strings attached it would be an aeolian harp sculpture by Barbara Hepworth. Sculpin, also called bullhead or sea scorpion, any of the numerous, usually small fish of the family Cottidae (order Scorpaeniformes), found in both salt water and fresh water, principally in northern regions of the world. Sculpins are elongated, tapered fish, usually with wide, heavy heads. The gill covers have one or more spines, the pectoral fins are large and fanlike, and the skin is either naked or provided with small spines.”
111th over: Australia 406-4 (Smith 180, M Marsh 87) Mitch Marsh’s Waca experience has been evident throughout this innings. He has played some thumping, extremely attractive strokes. He survives a big LBW appeal from Broad, with England deciding not to risk their last review. There was an inside edge.
110th over: Australia 403-4 (Smith 180, M Marsh 86) Smith drives Woakes for a single to take Australia into the lead. England, you’re entering a world of a pain. A world of pain.
My word, are England not allowed to bowl bouncers?!????!!!!!!???!!!
FFS show some aggression! #Ashes
109th over: Australia 403-4 (Smith 179, M Marsh 85) Stuart Broad replaces Anderson. In the BT Sport box, Swann and Boycott are imploring him to try something different - bouncers, cutters, zooters, a balsamic reduction, just something. For now he is content to try the same old tactics, and Smith drives a single to take Australia level with England.
“Last winter, Broad and Anderson, were outbowled by Mohammed Shami, who got dramatic swing - conventional and reverse,” says Dileep Premachandran. “Not seen any evidence of reverse today either. In theory, with a dry abrasive pitch, there should be enough scuffing of the ball to make something happen. But everything has been gun-barrel straight.”
108th over: Australia 402-4 (Smith 178, M Marsh 85) Smith has a comical amount of time to wait for a ball from Woakes and glide it to the third-man boundary. That brings up the 400. Anyone who says this man isn’t the greatest Test batsman in the world, and by a long way, is either an Indian or a liar. Woakes ends the over with an LBW appeal so optimistic that I feel dirty just writing about it. It was missing leg by a mile.
“Dear Rob,” says Amod Paranjape. “As a student of the game, please allow me to put forth my impartial analysis. I think the England players have approached this series with a defeatist approach. I don’t know why? But it sure seems like it.”
107th over: Australia 397-4 (Smith 174, M Marsh 85) Smith edges Anderson just short of the lone slip Cook. At the moment he is happy to play a supporting role to Marsh, who is taking England to the cleaners. Even Anderson, usually so thrifty, is going round the park. The over ends with two more boundaries, one driven through the covers and the other down the ground. This is brutal.
“Rob,” says John Starbuck. “Have you ever begun an OBO shift in such depressing circumstances? It sounds like the worst way to start a day (others may opine otherwise).”
106th over: Australia 388-4 (Smith 173, M Marsh 77) Chris Woakes replaces Craig Overton to no small effect. The second new ball is now 25 overs old, which means things are going to get even tougher for England. Ordinarily I would say Australia should bat until lunch tomorrow - but this has been such a demoralising day for England that I’d want to get them in again tonight, especially as the weather forecast isn’t great for the rest of the match.
“Afternoon Adam,” says Lee Henderson. “Sipping an IPA from California called a Sculpin and it has an ugly fish that looks like a stonefish or somesuch on the six-pack packaging. No idea what a Sculpin is mind you but it made me think who would win a gurning competition between Smith and Overton? Overton reminds me of a tall younger Wilfred Brambell with his expressive hunched up face when in grimace mode and Smith under his helmet reminds me of a bemused Worzel Gummidge. They both have this jaw thing going and you just know they’re both talking to someone you and I can’t see.”
105th over: Australia 388-4 (Smith 173, M Marsh 77) Now Marsh hits Anderson for consecutive boundaries, a steer to third man followed by a flick through midwicket from a low full toss. It’s lovely, ruthless batting, but England’s collective noggin has gone. Twenty-seven hours ago they had very good reason to believe they were going to win the match; now they are being humiliated.
104th over: Australia 379-4 (Smith 173, M Marsh 68) Mitch Marsh is racing towards a first Test century. He hits Overton for consecutive boundaries, a pristine straight drive followed by an easy back cut. The only good news for England is the weather forecast, which means they might get out of this with a draw. But really, what’s the point.
“We are now exactly halfway through the series,” says Brendan Jones. “Does it now stand at 2.5 to nil?”
Cheers Adam, hello there. There are no words left to describe Steve Smith’s greatness, only stats. Throughout his career he averages 98 in the first innings of home Tests. No batsman in cricket history – not even him – has set the tone so successfully. In the last two years that figures rises to, and you’ll like this, 183. England fans will bitch and moan but that’s not the story; not today.
103rd over: Australia 370-4 (Smith 173, M Marsh 59) An eventful moment there for me to take care of before handing over to Rob Smyth . Just the no-ball from the over. Still don’t believe they’ve sent down a maiden since the opening ten minutes this morning. What a mess. A punishing hour for England comes to an end as they grab a drink. Thanks for your company. It’s been good fun. If Hugh Grant ends up dropping me a line, you’ll be the first to know on the OBO. Bye!
NOT OUT! We don’t even know if it hit the stumps. It is a front foot no-ball. Oh dear. What a debacle. Oh, it was umpires call anyway the TV shows, so Smith was safe regardless. Smith has a big smile on his face when the call comes through.
HAS JIMMY TRAPPED SMITH? “If you are playing against Bradman you are using both your reviews,” says Katich before they go upstairs. Let’s see. Root sends it up.
102nd over: Australia 369-4 (Smith 173, M Marsh 59) Craig Overton has been brilliant at times, consistent in most overs. Can’t bowl on Smith’s pads to begin the over though. He’s flicking fine, very fine. It beats Moeen. Actually, he misfields on further inspection. Top score in Ashes Tests at the WACA now. Sure. Keeps the strike with another single down there. Slight Bronx Cheer for Moeen, as he collects.
@collinsadam Knowing your love of situationally appropriate songs I give you this.https://t.co/YO4NRZYeFj
Hard to believe 22/12 will mark 15 years since Strummer died.
101st over: Australia 364-4 (Smith 168, M Marsh 59) Singles, singles, everywhere. Moeen cannot put the clamps on; hasn’t at any stage this series. Cover, square leg, midwicket, point. All the sweepers get a chance to throw the ball in.
Kim Thonger is back with us. “Jim Denvir may be on to something here. I reckon Jayne Torvill would be more likely to take wickets at the WACA than Stuart Broad. Her reverse swing with pike was legendary. Or am I getting mixed up with Tom Daley?” I’m sure there is a gag here about the ‘assisted lift’ controversy at Lillehammer. I just don’t have it. It has been a long shift.
100th over: Australia 360-4 (Smith 166, M Marsh 57) Mitch Marsh is bang on. Straight drive of Overton when he puts one in his half, again holding the pose like Watto. Gerard Whateley makes a good point on ABC, that he’s just about booked his place for South Africa, not just Melbourne and Sydney. “He’s such a good team man,” Simon Katich adds of the WA skipper. “He passed up a chance to play the IPL for Surrey to play some county cricket. That gives an indication of his mindset. He is fully focussed on wanting to play Test cricket for Australia and it is showing in his performance as well.” Shout for lbw though! Nup. Not given. No review. Overton fancied it. But Root didn’t. Good shout because it is missing by a long way.
99th over: Australia 355-4 (Smith 166, M Marsh 53) Right, Moeen. What say you? Not much. Marsh to the point sweeper. Smith too. Nothing doing. Smith takes two more out to end the inoccuous set.
Colliver: "Steve Smith has now batted 1000 minutes in this series" #Ashes
98th over: Australia 350-4 (Smith 163, M Marsh 51) Overton replaces Woakes. Good shout, the latter had nothing in his previous over. Marsh tucks one behind square. Smith is happy to defend. Edge! Yes, a real, actual edge! But it doesn’t carry to Cook at first slip. Again, this is the bowler the Australians seem to respect most at the moment. Oh, that’s the 350 up for Australia as well. “England are gone mate,” says Simon Katich on the radio, with a chuckle. “I am really confident these two are raising their bats again today.” Oh: “And it is only a matter of time before Mitch Marsh tries to hit a few to Gloucester Park.” That’s the trotting track next to the Waca. With Moeen operating from that end, well... yes.
97th over: Australia 349-4 (Smith 163, M Marsh 50) A Marsh single down the grond gets him to 50. Just the 75 balls. Doing the role of an old-fashioned Australian number six here, hitting it hard and making it hurt. Moeen is on now, I should add. He found an edge in his first over before lunch and does again here, but instead of landing in the hands of slip as it did with Marsh, Smith’s deflects square of the catcher and down to the rope. A couple more later in the over prompts more cheering, for it is the 100 stand. Seven off the over. England were 368-4 at one stage yesterday. Make of that what you will. I reckon they have an hour here to salvage the day and tuck into the bowlers. If they can’t, Smith will be 250+ at stumps and the urn will be handed over tomorrow afternoon. Sorry.
96th over: Australia 342-4 (Smith 157, M Marsh 49) A lot going on here. Woakes has no chance when Mitch Marsh thrashes him over gully. No edge about it, that’s flayed with purpose. “Dross,” says Jim Maxwell on ABC of the offering. He’s short to Smith too, who is back and pulling from outside off stump. That’ll do for a couple more. When coming back to the bowler the ball spills away to the boundary, Woakes having to jog back and it it. It’s a grim moment in front of us here. The crowd love it, though. He finds a yard with the next delivery, but Smith leaves it with that light-sabre wave, as he did in his genius Pune ton in February. You know what he did about that then, don’t you? That he does that when he wants to concentrate even more. Ominous for England fans. What could be be at stumps?
The best since Bradman? Steve Smith has the second highest Test average of all time. Since his maiden century, Smith is averaging 71.66 over 48 Tests
95th over: Australia 335-4 (Smith 155, M Marsh 44) I wonder what the strategy might be here. Bat once, bat big? With rain about, would stand to reason. Will they hit the lead then unleash? I say that, but they’re hardly crawling along here. Marsh gets one through midwicket with a shot only he can play after moving across in the crease. Next? On the up through the posh side for four, of course. More a punch than a drive. Wow.
“Is Kim Thonger (over 93) really suggesting England call up Tonya Harding as a way to prevent Steve Smith getting to 200?” asks Jim Denvir. “Where would she bat? 7? Very good areas. I’ve rarely been so excited about a film coming out as I am about the Tonya biopic early next year.
94th over: Australia 330-4 (Smith 151, M Marsh 43) Marsh gets Smith back on strike, who drives through cover as he does so often on this wonderful journey. To 150 he moves, probably the most elegant innings of his career. Too good. He’s just too good.
93rd over: Australia 327-4 (Smith 149, M Marsh 42) Broad sticks with the short stuff to Marsh. He’s hits him on the arm trying to get out the way. Maybe, again, a bit of variable bounce? Goes fuller, Marsh obliges, driving neatly down the ground for three.
“It seems to me the England management have to accept the bowlers are never going to get Steve Smith out and instead get creative about stopping him actually getting on to the field of play in the first place,” suggests Kim Thonger. Okay, you’ve got my attention.
92nd over: Australia 324-4 (Smith 149, M Marsh 39) Oooh, the first ball of Woakes new over spits up at Smith. Some volatility the Australian quicks will quite enjoy. A competitive set, for one keeping Smith still. But just before he notches England’s second maiden of the day, Smith smashes Woakes through midwicket. Nothing delivery. Has let himself down there. One more run to raise his bat again.
Recommended field for Steve Smith (excludes several dozen necessary fielders) https://t.co/YbyhqrAWWRpic.twitter.com/mnFgOhmDNK
91st over: Australia 320-4 (Smith 145, M Marsh 39) Wow, what a bizarre field. Broad from the Prindiville Stand End has not one man in front of square on the off-side. Catchers everywhere on the other side. Short leg, leg gully, midwicket. Two catchers out deep if he takes them on. Smith knows it will be short, waits on it, and crunches just behind point to the (stop me if I’ve said this before) first ball of the over. Beats Moeen. Four. Two of Malan’s former Middlesex captains, Rogers and Voges, on the ABC advocating that he be given a go with his leggies. Can’t hurt, surely. Off strike when hacking an pull off balance into the on-side. A couple of quicker bumpers at Marsh, who gets out of the way. Nearly gloves one. But ducks the other.
90th over: Australia 315-4 (Smith 140, M Marsh 39) Woakes is driven to point straight away by Smith, for one to the sweeper. Once again, first ball of the over. Marsh leaving and defending for the rest.
Looks up. Sees Woakes first ball after lunch is timed at 130 kph. Looks away. #ashes
The players are back on the field. Woakes to Smith. Play.
I promised more Hugh. Here it is. I’m going to let this speak for itself. This is framed in the home of my dear friend, BBC Test Match Special’s Daniel Norcross. Worth reading to the end for that quote. Hasn’t changed a bit.
Back on the OBO. Before talking more about Hugh Grant, learn about @norcrosscricket's brilliant link from FWAD days: https://t.co/tixnNPcRJr#Ashes (ping: @bbctms) pic.twitter.com/aEs4kodIb5
111 runs for the session, the wicket of Shaun Marsh England’s only respite. He edged Moeen’s fourth ball of the morning, but the bowlers battled badly. By my count, they registered only one maiden across the two hours. They needed to find something special to nudge ahead again in this Test, but now look likely to concede a hefty first innings deficit.
They are still ahead of 89 runs, of course, but this is the effect Steve Smith has when batting. His numbers are offensive. In his last 48 Tests he has 22 tons. He’s the second quickest to that mark in history behind Bradman. He’s now overtaken Adam Voges batting average of 61.87 to sit behind The Don by that measure to.
89th over: Australia 314-4 (Smith 139, M Marsh 39) This will be the final over before lunch. Broad to Marsh. And he’s well up for it, smacking the England champion behind point. To the rope in no time at all. The bowlers gets one to bite next up, hitting Marsh’s gloves. That might be the sign for the Australian to duck and defend himself to lunch, so he does. Lunch. More thoughts in a tic.
88th over: Australia 310-4 (Smith 139, M Marsh 35) Four, four! Australia bring up their 300 and these two their 50 partnership in the process. The first is a delightful on drive, picked up from off-stump and taken down with pristine timing. Next, Woakes is slipping down leg and Marsh cashes in fine. He goes again, clipping with real confidence now, but it is just stopped by a diving Overton in the deep. Smith’s turn, and he leans into a cover drive himself. Three more. Making 14 from the over. Hardly putting it away before lunch, are they?
In the lead up to the long break, I am going to leave this here from Mac Millings.
87th over: Australia 296-4 (Smith 136, M Marsh 24) So, Broad from the Prindiville Stand End. Per my tweet before Smith has gone past Adam Voges, now only behind Bradman for Test averages. Better over from Broad. Half a shout for lbw to finish, but Marsh has hit it.
86th over: Australia 293-4 (Smith 135, M Marsh 22) Woakes replaces Broad after two overs with the new ball from his end. Has a couple of slips, conventional 6-3 field. I was about to start carrying on about the prospect of a second (I think) maiden of the morning. Not so, Marsh grabbing another easy two off the pads.
“Hello there from Yorkshire.” G’day, Jonnny Starbuck. “What does the future hold for Anderson and Broad, who are not quite so successful as they used to be? They will have to go sometime, so how about a phased retirement? It works for the one-day and Test specialists. Maybe they will become home specialists, playing just in English conditions, while both Overtons, ToRoJo and Mark Wood do the business overseas.”
Stuart Broad's no wickets in his last 37 overs, his most recent at 4.26pm on Sunday Dec 3 #Ashes
85th over: Australia 291-4 (Smith 135, M Marsh 20) Four leg byes from that unsuccessful leg before shout, to make matters worse. Smith defends the last couple.
“Smith is one of those rare batsmen who makes everyone believe that the scoreboard has got another 150 on it,” tweets great man Gary Naylor at me. “Marsh batting like Australia enjoy a lead already: England bowling like it too.” Great analysis. England were 200 ahead this morning and we were already discussing the likelihood of them losing by an innings. They won’t. But as Gary says, it is a mindset thing.
NOT OUT! Nup. Missing by a long way. “Desperate review,” observes Vic Marks. “Running out of hope.” But it’s understandable. A consensus that he had to have a pop.
HAS JIMMY GOT SMITH LBW? Root is going upstairs to find out. He has to check!
84th over: Australia 286-4 (Smith 135, M Marsh 19) Yes, Mitch. Sees what Smith does the previous over and repeats the dose. Holds the pose like Shane Watson as the ball crashes into the boundary at cover. 23 minutes to lunch. This partnership is gathering pace.
MMarsh has just out-cover-driven SSmith.
83rd over: Australia 281-4 (Smith 135, M Marsh 14) Jimmy to Mitch. But on his pads, so he gets off strike straight away. A regular theme this morning, a single from the first ball of a fresh over. Smith does his favoured shuffle to the offside in order to drive through wide mid-on for more runs, a couple of them. It’s a taste of what is to come at the end of the over, when unfurls a glittering cover drive. There are two fielders there, he’s split them. Remember when they used to say that he couldn’t cover drive due to the way he holds the bat? Yeah, right.
Remarkable - & 20 of those hundreds have been in first innings; but he still averages 60.36 in his team’s second innings! https://t.co/PKW0qM1bo4
82nd over: Australia 274-4 (Smith 129, M Marsh 13)“They have never lost a day in Test Cricket at the WACA,” says Jim Maxwell on TMS. Great to have him back on there. I wrote about his career as the Aussie on TMS earlier this year, if that’s your thing. They are discussing that because rain is meant to nail Perth tomorrow. Maybe after play? Anyway, no danger of that now. Remains glorious. Broad is back, for his chance with the second new ball. Doesn’t make a difference to Smith, who makes room to tickle to fine leg first up. Not a bad result for England anyway. Whatever it takes to get into the Australian lower order and Marsh surely the more vulnerable of the pair. Beaten immediately outside the off-stump. Moves in, jags away. Superb. Marsh keeps his cool, pushing nicely into cover for one later in the over.
Smith also getting closer to averaging over 100 runs per match.
Most RpM (5,000+ runs):
134.54 Bradman AUS
96.36* Smith AUS
92.54 Sangakkara SL
91.24 Lara WI
88.69 Hobbs ENG#Ashes
81st over: Australia 272-4 (Smith 128, M Marsh 12) England haven’t taken the new ball. What doing? Anderson stays around the wicket to Smith. A single puts Marsh up there. “Jimmy, what are you doing wanting to bowl with the old ball?” asks Michael Vaughan. Marsh agrees, smashing him down the ground for a superbly struck straight drive. Tasty. Oh, that does it - they take the new ball immediately after the boundary. And guess what? Gets an edge first ball. Into the ground, though. “They just have to go for it in the next 40 minutes. Don’t worry about an extra cover. This isn’t about runs, it is about taking six wickets.” What he said.
“Ian Healy’s interview with Steve Smith’s fiancé is a new low in cricket commentary,” writes Daniel Griffiths. I didn’t hear it, but judging by the giggles in the press box from those who were tuned in, I should have been.
80th over: Australia 265-4 (Smith 127, M Marsh 6) Overton has the last over with the old ball. Surely they will take the new one after 80. Smith to point for one. Then Mitch Marsh away with a lovely flick past square. Excellent timing. You can probably tell, I’m a bit of a fan. I’ve twice been on radio commentary carrying on about it being *his day* before getting out next ball. I owe him one.
Worth keeping an eye on this: https://t.co/uzIFYff72x#Ashespic.twitter.com/LnDct4cEnR
79th over: Australia 260-4 (Smith 126, M Marsh 2) Right, Anderson here? Not Moeen, for the last over from this end with the old ball. Unorthodox, but maybe that’s Root’s plan. Do the unexpected. He’s going to tackle the Australian captain from around the wicket. “He’s going to bowl leg theory,” says Vic Marks to my left. “It’s like an off-spinners field this, with a slip and a leg-slip.” A couple of catching midwickets too, with a cow corner and long leg as well. Smith knows the drill here though, slipping back into his Brisbane zen. Ali Martin has the Channel Nine commentary on (I’m with TMS) and Smith’s fiance is on the call talking about how her fella is when he is not out overnight. Apparently he just stays in ~the zone~. Must be great company at dinner - “NO BREAD ROLL!” He allows himself a controlled hook to end the set, keeping the strike.
This is a fantastic piece about Mitch Marsh from during the week.
Mitchell Marsh is in to bat with a remodelled game and ambitions to be a Test batsman of quality. Today is the test of his work with Scott Meuleman #Asheshttps://t.co/L1cS54lscd
78th over: Australia 259-4 (Smith 125, M Marsh 2) Smith off strike the first ball of Overton’s new set. Oh, Marsh bunts a defensive stroke about 30 metres over mid-on. I think that’s what it was? A lot of discussion about Marsh’s game improving due to soft hands (so says his coach Justin Langer). Quite the opposite there. Smith again finds fine leg. This is like white-ball cricket for the captain now, accumulating through the non-power play overs with singles as he pleases. Marsh watchful, playing himself in.
@collinsadam I'm sat on my sofa in Hong Kong—beer and snacks close by—wondering how many body parts I would trade for something like this: https://t.co/LZWrwCsBQL
77th over: Australia 256-4 (Smith 123, M Marsh 1) Righto. Moeen from the Prindiville Stand for the first one after drinks. Smith cutting off the back foot to the sweeper at point, walking through a single. Extra catcher in for Marsh, at forward short leg. He’s defending, again with that lunge. Wouldn’t mind a silly point here either. Nup, he’s off the mark with a guided tickle behind point. That’ll feel good. Smith again locates that sweeper. Easy runs. They move the short leg to second slip for the last ball of the over. But he’s defending well again. “I think his head just falls over to the off-side,” Michael Vaughan observes of the new man. “A lot of runs lads, 150, come on!” bellows YJB through the stump mic. That’s true. And the Australian lower order collapse routinely. They must retain their belief here. Second new ball not far away.
76th over: Australia 253-4 (Smith 121, M Marsh 0) Ducked and hit! Smith cops one on the left shoulder, Overton’s bouncer not getting up. There’s a half-appeal. Glenn McGrath discusses on the radio the time he had Sachin given LBW off his shoulder. I’ll dig that youtube out for you, actually. Very pre-DRS world, that. Shoooooot. Smith rocks onto the back foot next up, not at all fussed by the whack, steering to third man. There is a fielder there but he’s timed it so well, the ball wins the race to the rope. He’s back again, hooking one fine. Eventful over, worthy of a drink. Australia exactly 150 behind as the Perth punters stretch their legs.
75th over: Australia 248-4 (Smith 115, M Marsh 0) Mitch Marsh replaces his older brother. Huge roar from the Waca crowd, backing in their local boy. His first Test Match since Banglalore in March. He’s back into the XI earlier than he thought after a shoulder reconstruction. Gets a big stride in to both the remaining Moeen balls, knocking them on the head.
From absolutely nowhere! Nine taken from Moeen’s first three balls of the day, Marsh whacking him through midwicket then using his feet to clip with utter class. Next ball? He edges to slip! Not much spin, but enough with some extra flight. Tried to almost glide rather than stroke it. Has paid the price. Very good snaffle from Root. Blimey, how they needed that.
74th over: Australia 239-3 (Smith 115, Marsh 20) Overton is at least banging it in. There has been extra bounce from this end throughout the match. Half a shout for LBW from one that really hoops back. It’s high, and there is no review, but it is something at least. Much, much better set.
Chanceless aggression from Steve Smith. He's played the highest proportion of attacking shots of any top order batsman in this match (29%), but has only played 6 false shots. The average innings of this length would have included 22. #Ashes
73rd over: Australia 238-3 (Smith 114, Marsh 20) Better from Woakes for the most part, looking the quickest of the England quartet this morning. But still, there is the customary gift on the pads. Marsh takes two from it.
Test Century number 22 for Australian Captain Steve Smith during Day 3 of the 3rd #Ashes Test at the WACA #gettyimages#gettysport#england#australia#cricket@steve_smith49#stevesmith#ausvengpic.twitter.com/fQzMtC1v8f
72nd over: Australia 236-3 (Smith 114, Marsh 18) “They look almost defeated in the field,” says Ed Smith on TMS of the England body language. Overton is outside the leg stump to Smith early in the over, in keeping with the theme. A single taken to cover when he’s a fraction full. Marsh keeps the strike with one to mid-on. Only one maiden this morning. What does Root do?
71st over: Australia 234-3 (Smith 113, Marsh 17) Steven Peter Devereux Smith. To the third ball of Woakes’ spell he is thumping a drive through the gap at cover. He’s absolutely creamed that. With it, he has 1000 runs in the year for the fourth time in the row. Only the second man to do that (Hayden the other, who made it five from 2001-2005, TMS reveals). Again on the pads he gets another single. All four bowlers have struggled with line this morning. Marsh leaving alone for the rest.
Enjoyed this from Geoff earlier today. Malcolm Gladwell says 10,000 hours. Smith 10,000 balls. Neato.
Steve Smith faces his 10,000th ball in Test cricket. #Ashes
70th over: Australia 229-3 (Smith 108, Marsh 17) Craig Overton for the first time today, the first change of the morning. Replacing Broad from our end. Marsh doesn’t take long to get stuck in, stroking beautifully wide of mid-on. The Perth crowd lap that up. He’s on the pads later in the over to both men, who milk the easiest of singles. No, no, no. 50 partnership is up.
69th over: Australia 223-3 (Smith 107, Marsh 12) Better from Jimmy, gets Smith’s edge to begin. But along the ground. Marsh pushes solidly for another single. Accumulating well. Looks good. Then again, he always does until he doesn’t. Smith defends the rest.
68th over: Australia 221-3 (Smith 106, Marsh 11) Broad to Smith. Barmy Army playing The Great Escape. “That’s pretty telling when you are still ahead in the game,” Ali Martin says next to me. Smith hacks one to fine leg to get down the other end. Marsh does the rest to see out the Broad set. How about this on the West Australian: he has been batting in professional cricket since the millenium bug was a thing, only now finding out he needs glasses. Good grief.
Incredible! @MitchJohnson398 reveals Aussie boys did a Specsavers eye test & discovered @shaunmarsh9 needs contacts. Wore them in Adelaide. pic.twitter.com/RRWtfuZ06W
67th over: Australia 220-3 (Smith 105, Marsh 11) The ball after getting to 100, Smith clips a single to square leg. Marsh turns it over to cover. Then Smith pushes to point to keep the strike. This already looks too easy, doesn’t it? Uh oh.
Steve Smith. 22 hundreds from 48 Tests since his breakthrough. Not bad at cricket. #Ashes
There it is! With a boundary, of course. Just a tuck to midwicket that trickles to the rope off Anderson’s first ball. Off comes the helmet, a celebration we are so familiar with now. His second ton of the series. One of his very best. 138 balls, 16 boundaries, one six. Seventh against England, third at the WACA. The quickest of his career as well, Andrew Samson on TMS informs me.
66th over: Australia 213-3 (Smith 99, Marsh 10) Shoooooot! I don’t have a clue how Smith does that. From about off-stump he drives perfectly along the carpet, wide of mid-on. Off the back foot, almost. That’s an incredible shot for normal people. To 98 he goes. Earlier in the over he tried something similar and missed, annoying Broad. A single out to square leg moves him to 99 from the last ball. So he’ll keep the strike.
65th over: Australia 208-3 (Smith 94, Marsh 10) Anderson to Marsh. Has to use his bat throughout, except for the final ball where he elects for a close leave. A few oohs and aahs. Maiden.
In his last 36 matches, Steve Smith has made 17 hundreds, averaging 74.
Wow.
Live
https://t.co/bOLdWCznGd#Ashes#bbccricketpic.twitter.com/FfpOyZMo9Y
64th over: Australia 208-3 (Smith 94, Marsh 10) Broad running away from us here at the Lillee-Marsh Stand End. Are the cats barking for him today, as Barney put it? Not initially, Smith helping himself to a single past point. Next up he’s on Marsh’s mums and dads, clipping neatly to midwicket for three. Into double figures goes the home town boy. Broad finds his range to Smith, who has to get his bat down low to the final delivery that looks to keep a fraction low.
I neglected to mention the Craig Overton news before play. He had a scan this morning, bowled in the nets in a fitness test, and came through both in good shape. So he’ll bowl today.
63rd over: Australia 204-3 (Smith 94, Marsh 7) Jimmy to Smith. Cue Jerusalem from the Inveratity Stand as the Barmies clear their throats. Heavyweight stuff on the 22 yards that matter. But one slip? Come on, Joe. Belt and braces line and length to begin, then one on the pads clipped away to open the Aussie captain’s account. They now trail by 199. Yes, they have avoided the follow-on. A second slip in for Marsh, for what it is worth. Oh gosh, he looks for a quick single to finish the over. Stay there, mate, says Smith. Or something like that.
They’re out on the field!
As we start, something a bit bold and bolshie from Matt Biss.
Changing gears, Anya at #SPOTY
Before we kick-off again here at the Waca, I must give this a plug. Anya Shrubsole is a wonderful human being and a brilliant bowler. She’s also the first woman cricketer to get nominated for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year gong, coming up on Sunday. Cricket hasn’t had a winner since 2005. Let’s give it a red hot go by mobilising as many people from our sport as we can.
An incredible spell of bowling led to this reaction!https://t.co/JNKDbLwVYn#VoteShrubsole for #SPOTYpic.twitter.com/qYWRgKeWUo
Barney on Broady.
Some absolute lines in this. My fave: “Rig up an old pumpkin on a splint with a baseball glove and a floppy hat with a hidden tape recording of a measured, pained voice talking about finding your natural game and you could probably save the Test team its share of that £400,000-a-year salary.”
Related: England hope Terminator Stuart Broad can conjure magical Ashes spell | Barney Ronay
Speaking of Smith... (and Hugh)
“Yes on England needing to get Smith or they’ll get stuffed,” emails Robert Wilson. “Absolutely. He’s a pestilential curse of an opponent (and no one really understands how he’s doing it). But we shouldn’t neglect the glaring possibility that England will get stuffed even if they do get him out.”
Opening up on the email is Benedict Carter. “Here in China, the cause of cricket progresses: my Chinese students now know what the Ashes are; can place Australia and England on the map; and they know who Joe Root and Steve Smith are. I have yet to introduce WG Grace, the immortal Wilfred Rhodes or Sir Geoffrey Boycott to them but definitely civilisation advances.”
If you want to teach them how to bat like Smith, check out this brilliant masterclass from Press Association’s man on tour, David Clough. In Guardian row, we laughed loud.
Clough/Smith masterclass. This is how you bat ... in case anyone was wondering. #Ashespic.twitter.com/8wz1hNLUcD
Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts at the WACA (sort of).
Not for the Test. But indulge me, for I’ve been quite consumed by a story I stumbled upon on Thursday. In 2002, a Perth romantic had an idea involving the famous bench from Notting Hill. It carries an touching inscription that Anna Scott (Roberts) reads to William Thacker (Grant) in the film: “For June who loved this garden, from Joseph who always sat besides her.” Anyway, this legend deceided to buy it, fly it to Perth, and give it to his girlfriend.
The bench from Notting Hill (honestly) in front of the WACA light towers. Two of my favourite things. #Ashes#Perthpic.twitter.com/nA797s3itX
What an utterly spanking day in Perth. I’m rolling up to the dear old ground now and this is the best of the three. One imagines Steve Smith leaping out of bed, pulling back the curtains and whispering to himself: today I’ll ruin them.
That’s what it comes down to for England. If Jimmy finds Smith’s edge first ball today, the visitors flying. But if he is still there at drinks, he’ll probably still will be at tea. As I wrote last night, it’s all about him and he knows it.
Adam will be here shortly.