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'Once in a millennium player': Steve Smith defies boo boys with heroic Ashes knock
Redemption and recovery; Steve Smith single-handedly rescued Australia on Thursday by producing the Ashes knock of a lifetime on his Test return.
Walking out to the middle at Edgbaston, the former Australian captain was greeted by a chorus of boos, and sandpaper - a reference to the scandal which saw him banned for a year.
It was a 16-month absence in total, after he and fellow conspirators David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were sent home in disgrace from a tour of South Africa.
But by the time Smith arrived at the crease during the first innings of this Ashes series, he was truly walking out alone - Bancroft had just been dismissed, Warner was long gone and Australia were rocking at 17-2.
The Birmingham venue is said to be England’s fortress - barely a month ago they beat the same opponents at the same venue in the World Cup semi-final - and the raucous Hollies Stand wasted no time imposing themselves on the game.
Booing Smith as he took each step, groups of fans had gathered with pieces of sandpaper which they flashed in the 30-year-old’s direction as he made his way to the middle.
The thought process was obvious; remind the inimitable batsman of his previous indiscretion, get in his head and ensure he joins the Australian collapse.
But they seemed to forget, perhaps willingly, the New South Welshman’s grit and determination to bat for as long as possible - even in the face of adversity.
After what was to come, renowned cricket commentator Daniel Norcross told Yahoo Sport UK Smith is a ‘once in a millennium’ player.
The man himself said in a post-match interview he had almost fallen out of love with the game - and doubted whether he would play again.
“I’m just really proud that I was able to help pull the team out of a bit of trouble,” Smith said. “There were times throughout the last 15 months where I didn’t know if I was ever going to play cricket again. I lost a bit of love for it at one point, particularly when I had my elbow operation [in January].
“I’m really grateful to be in this position now, playing for Australia again and doing what I love.”
His re-emergence revitalised Australia and a partnership with Travis Head proved the calming influence he could have, given half a chance.
Those two got their side to 99, before Head’s departure instigated a collapse of 5-23. At the other end, Smith was unperturbed.
By the time Pat Cummins departed, the final of the five, Smith was on 42.
Doing what he does best, he manoeuvred the ball around the field and dissected the England team with caution - only producing a false shot 11% of the time.
Alongside Peter Siddle, who produced a crucial knock of 44 himself, the lynchpin of the batting order brought up his 50.
It was met with more boos and more sandpaper. He continued.
By the time Siddle hit Moeen Ali straight to short leg, Smith had progressed to 85 and it seemed distinctly plausible that Nathan Lyon would soon follow and leave him stranded.
But when Australia’s talisman struck Ben Stokes through the covers for four to bring up his hundred, there was widespread applause as the begrudging respect seeped through.
Not that the show ended there; indeed, once Smith reached his milestone he exploded. 10 boundaries, including a six, as he hammered his way to 144.
When he came in, Australia were in all sorts of mess. By the time Stuart Broad castled him, it was an exhausted England who were questioning the state of play.
‘Sandpaper gate’
It all stemmed from the visitors’ tour of South Africa in 2018, where a frenetic and charged atmosphere in the opening two matches contributed to events at Newlands.
With the series score level at 1-1, the hosts had put themselves into a strong position with a lead of 50 runs.
At about the 43rd over mark, the match umpires questioned Cameron Bancroft, where he denied using a foreign object to alter the ball.
Afterwards the player and Smith both claimed it was tape - before eventually confessing that Warner and Bancroft hatched the plan while Smith failed to intervene.
Fall from grace
The then-skipper refused to step down from his role, before Cricket Australia intervened following public outcry.
The trio were sent home in disgrace immediately following the conclusion of the Test, with Smith and Warner hit with bans.
Upon re-entry in Australia, Smith gave a press conference in which he broke down in tears, while Bancroft and Warner endured similar experiences.
‘Shocked and bitterly disappointed’
Then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull issued a statement which forced their cricket governing body into action.
"We all woke up this morning shocked and bitterly disappointed by the news from South Africa," Turnbull said. "It seemed completely beyond belief that the Australian cricket team had been involved in cheating.
"It's their responsibility to deal with it, but I have to say that (to) the whole nation, who holds those who wear the Baggy Green up on a pedestal, about as high as you can get in Australia … this is a shocking disappointment. It's wrong, and I look forward to Cricket Australia taking decisive action soon."
It was a chastening experience which shook Australian cricket - with a full review into their culture instigated, which subsequently saw Tim Paine named captained for Australia’s new-look era.
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