Emotional Steve Smith revels in Ashes centuries
Last updated on: 05 August,2019 08:48 pm
Smith hit 144 and 142 as Australia beat England by 251 runs at Edgbaston to win the opening game.
BIRMINGHAM (AFP) - An emotional Steve Smith admitted his brilliant contribution to Australia s first Test humbling of England was a dream come true after the pain of his ball-tampering ban.
Smith hit 144 and 142 as Australia beat England by 251 runs at Edgbaston to win the opening game of the five-match Ashes series.
It was a personal triumph for Smith, who was playing in his first Test since a 12-month ban for his role in last year s shocking ball-tampering scandal on Australia s tour of South Africa.
"It feels pretty special, winning the first Test in England is really special. It feels great, I m loving being back playing cricket for Australia, doing what I love and contributing to wins," Smith told BBC s Test Match Special.
"To score two hundreds in a match -- the first time I ve done that in any form of cricket in my life -- is very special and I m very proud."
Smith revealed he had lost his passion for cricket as a result of his ban and an elbow injury, but he is now fully motivated again and reaping the rewards.
"I didn t dream about how I would come back. I was just letting time pass and when I got my elbow brace off after surgery something clicked and I was ready to play cricket again. I did lose that love for a little bit but I m back doing what I love now and it s great," he said.
Smith changed the tone of the match, leading Australia to 284 all out in their first innings from a perilous 122-8.
"When I got that first hundred I was just thinking, don t burst into tears. That was as special as my first hundred back in 2013. It was a relief to get it out of the way," he said.
"I copped a bit of stick out there but I m not paying much attention to that and fortunately we ve got a good Aussie contingent here. They re creating a good atmosphere for us and we re grateful for it."