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Steve Smith rewrites cricket history as England stage Ashes fightback

Steve Smith has joined an illustrious group with another Test century against England.

andrew reid
·4-min read
Pictured here, Steve Smith after reaching 32 centuries in Test cricket.
Steve Smith has become the fastest to reach 32 centuries in Test cricket history. Pic: Getty

Aussie cricket superstar Steve Smith has joined an illustrious group of players after rewriting history with another Test century on day two of the second Test against England at Lord's. Smith became the quickest man in history to reach his 32nd Test ton - playing his 174th innings in his 99th Test - before being removed for 110 early on day two as England staged a stirring fightback.

Resuming on 85, Smith quickly notched his latest incredible milestone to help the Aussies reach 416 for their first innings, before England took the match to the visitors with the bat. Ben Stokes' home side were 1-188 at one stage, but lost three quick wickets in needless fashion to undo much of their good work as England got to stumps at 4-278 - trailing the Aussies by 138-runs.

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One day after becoming the second-fastest man to reach 9000-runs in Test cricket, Smith sealed more history with a 32nd Test century that brings him level with Steve Waugh in the list of Australian centurions, with Ricky Ponting the only Aussie ahead of them on 41 tons. Smith and Waugh are now joint-11th in the all-time list of Test centurions, headed by Sachin Tendulkar.

With 9079 Test runs in total, Smith's average of 59.73 is superior to Waugh and any of the other batters above him in the hundreds list. His 3176 Ashes runs also puts him fourth on the all-time runs list, overtaking Waugh's 3173 for Australia against England. Smith is also just the third man with 12 Ashes centuries to his name and the first since Don Bradman in 1937 to reach the milestone.

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England lose three quick wickets to squander advantage

England were glad to see the back of Smith when he was caught in the gully by Ben Duckett for 110 off the bowling of Josh Tongue. England's reply included a dazzling 98 from Ben Duckett, who along with two other England batters fell for Australia's short -ball trap.

Ollie Pope (42 runs), Duckett and Joe Root (10) were all caught playing the hook shot, with England's star batter Root having also been caught behind on one trying to hook a Cameron Green no-ball. Pope sent a Green bouncer to Smith at backward-square on 42, Duckett hit Josh Hazlewood down Warner's throat on 98 and Root was neatly caught by Smith behind square off Mitchell Starc on 10.

Nathan Lyon injury a massive concern for Australia

The three quick wickets saw England go from a position of dominance to leave the Test delicately poised heading into the third day. Of great concern to the Aussies will be a serious-looking calf injury that saw him fail to return to the field after seeking treatment.

Seen here, Nathan Lyon getting treated for an injury during the second Test at Lord's.
Nathan Lyon's injury leaves him in doubt for the second Test at Lord's. Pic: Getty

The 36-year-old pulled up short when charging in to attempt a catch at deep backward square, immediately clutching at his calf afterwards and limping from the field. The injury is likely to leave Australia without a frontline spinner for the rest of the match, with first-innings centurion Smith and Travis Head sharing duties in the evening.

Day three now looms as crucial, not only in the fight for a first-innings lead but with Australia sweating on the fitness of their off-spinning superstar, with Lyon deemed to be in some doubt for the rest of the series.

with agencies

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