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Dressing room photo shatters ugly Steve Smith controversy

sam goodwin
Sports Editor

Steve Smith and Jack Leach have posed for a photo in the dressing rooms after the Ashes series, putting to bed the controversy around the Aussie’s celebrations after the fourth Test.

Smith sparked uproar after Australia won the fourth Test at Old Trafford when he donned a pair of glasses as the Aussies celebrated on the field after play.

A number of journos and fans from England thought Smith was mocking Jack Leach - the spinner who has become a cult hero because of his spectacles - labelling him ‘arrogant’ and ‘classless’.

The Australian camp said Smith was simply poking fun at retired Test opener Chris Rogers - a close friend of Smith.

Steve Smith, pictured here wearing glasses during celebrations after the fourth Ashes Test.
Steve Smith donned a pair of glasses during celebrations. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The truth remains to be seen, but there’s clearly no ill-will between Smith and Leach.

The Ashes rivals posed for a photo in the sheds after the fifth Test on Sunday, with Smith donning the glasses once again.

“Steve came to tell me his celebration at Old Trafford wasn’t about me,” Leach told the Daily Mail.

“I didn’t know if it was or wasn’t but I was kind of hoping it was because I thought it was a good laugh.”

Leach said he probably “deserved some stick” after he was spotted re-enacting his one run that helped England win the third Test.

Ashes foes come together in touching scenes

With so much of the Ashes dominated by narratives of hostility between English and Australian players, as well as the crowd, the post-series celebrations summed up how both sides were feeling after the series was drawn.

Both teams convened in the England rooms for a few drinks and a chat to celebrate the five-match series.

“This is what it’s all about,” England and Wales Cricket Board communications man Danny Reuben wrote on Twitter.

“The cut and thrust of Ashes cricket. Let’s just have a beer and reminisce. Why cricket is the best!”

England proved too good in the fifth and final Test of the series, bowling Australia out on the fourth day to draw the series at 2-2.

However it wasn’t enough to prevent the tourists from retaining the urn.