Best since Bradman: Smith’s Ashes milestone as Australia batter England

Steve Smith moved to second on the all-time list of Ashes runscorers behind only Sir Donald Bradman after hammering his 37th Test century – and 13th against England – as Australia’s batsmen inflicted further misery on the tourists at the SCG on Tuesday.

Smith and Travis Head posted sparkling centuries to push the home side closer to a 4-1 series victory. Australia batted the entire day to reach 7-518 at stumps, a lead of 134 runs.

Australia set a commanding platform from which to push for a potential innings victory, given England’s underwhelming batting throughout much of the series, on a day when Usman Khawaja fell cheaply in his final Test.

Head’s 163 was the seventh score of 150 or more in his Test career, and it was just 12 runs shy of his highest score of 175, against the West Indies in 2022. He racked up his 600th run of this series.

“Beggars can’t be choosers. It’s a pretty shit stat, isn’t it,” Head said with a laugh. “I’d much rather 160 or 170 than zero to 10. I won’t complain about that.”

Smith (129 not out) brought up his fifth century at the SCG and his first since Australia’s clash with South Africa in January 2023.

Things became comical in the final half an hour when Smith, having watched a Matthew Potts bouncer sail well over his head, gestured wide to the umpire. It was duly called.

At 5-339 and still trailing by 45 runs, England dared to dream of parity on first innings scores, but Smith had other ideas. He has stressed this SCG Test will not be his last, and he batted accordingly, crunching eight boundaries through point and cover in a masterclass of control.

If circumstances mean he never walks onto the SCG again for Australia, the 46,161 fans in attendance will long remember the clinic they witnessed as Smith brought up Test century No.37 and his 13th against England.

That tally leaves him sixth on the all-time list, one behind Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara (38) and four adrift of Ricky Ponting’s 41.

Smith (3682 runs at 57.53) also went past Jack Hobbs (3636 runs at 54.26) into second place on the list for most Ashes runs, still well behind Bradman’s 5028 runs from 37 matches at 89.78.

“A couple of hundreds last summer perked him back up,” Head said of Smith after play. “We’ve been very fortunate to be successful, which helps, and he’s played a huge role in that. I think he prides himself on his batting ability, but he also brings a lot in leadership. I hope he plays for a long time.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Khawaja perished for 17 in what could be his final Test innings. After a warm reception as he walked out to bat – shortly after Head had been trapped lbw by part-timer Jacob Bethell – Khawaja took the crease amid hopes of a fairytale finish to a stellar career.

It was not to be, however, as Khawaja was out lbw off Brydon Carse to a full inswinger after a review that felt justified given the significance of the moment for the 89-Test stalwart, who had announced his retirement before the match.

Cameron Green showed a level of confidence and composure not seen earlier in the series, belting a hook shot into the Brewongle Stand to raise hopes of a breakthrough knock on home soil.

But on 37, a Green pull shot failed to clear the rope, and he was caught by Ben Duckett, raising further questions about his place in the side.

Beau Webster (42 not out) chipped in with an entertaining cameo at No.9, given Michael Neser had been deployed as nightwatchman on day two, in his first Test innings since Australia’s tour of the Caribbean. It was a strong message to selectors given Green’s issues with the bat this summer.

Smith and Webster’s unbeaten partnership of 81 sets up Australia perfectly for day four against a tired England attack that looked like they can’t wait to get home.

“All the guys that have played the full five Test matches will definitely be tired mentally and physically,” Bethell said after taking 1-50 from 15 overs of left-arm off-spin that drew comparisons to Michael Clarke. “But that’s kind of what comes with a five-match series.”

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