Australia coach backs under-fire Smith as opener for series against India
Rubbing salt to the injury, the 34-year-old Smith could only manage 51 runs from four knocks during the recently-completed 2-0 series victory over New Zealand.
After bowing out Australia for 328 runs, England captain Joe Root helped the visitors take lead again in Brisbane, concluding the Day 3 at 33/2 leading Australians by seven runs in the second innings of the first Ashes Test on Saturday.
At stumps, Root (5) and Mark Stoneman (19) were on the crease fighting the Aussie pace attack that hampered the English side early in the second innings.
Josh Hazlewood truck twice and dismissed England’s top-order batsmen Alastair Cook (7) and James Vince (2) cheaply. Vince had scored an impressive 83-run knock in England’s first innings and powered them to a competitive total of 302 runs.
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Earlier, Steve Smith led by example when he scored an impressive 141-run knock (not out) to help Australia fight back after top-order collapse, propelling them to 328 runs in their innings.
Smith struck in tough times as England tried to trap him through a modern-day ‘Bodyline’ fielding strategy. He scored 14 boundaries in his composed 326-ball knock.
With Smith being the lone warrior, Australia lead the Test match by 26 runs. England, who won the toss and opted to bat first, had scored 302 runs in their innings.
Paceman Stuart Broad led the bowling attack for England, claiming three big wickets in Cameron Bancroft (5), Shaun Marsh (51) and Mitchell Starc (6).
Experienced campaigners James Anderson and Moeen Ali also contributed in the bowling assault claiming two wickets each.
Young-guns Chris Woakes and Jake Ball joined the party after taking the scalp of Pat Cummins (42) and David Warner (26) respectively.
At lunch, Australia were 213 for seven, trailing by 89 runs with Smith holding firm on 81 and Pat Cummins on two. Smith added just 17 runs in the two-hour session.
Smith had a moment to celebrate when he was on 69 and a rearing Jake Ball delivery hit the top of his bat but fell out of the reach of a close-in fielder.
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