Australian champion batter Steve Smith has sent a clear message to England ahead of the Ashes after scoring a superb century for New South Wales in his first Sheffield Shield match of the season.
The veteran, who is set to captain the side in the first Test due to Pat Cummins’ injury, reached triple figures against Queensland at The Gabba.
Smith's commanding innings of 118 in his first red-ball appearance since the recent West Indies tour suggests the former world number one is in fine touch, easing selectors' concerns over his and Australia’s batting form.
Smith leads run-scoring surge after slow start
After a period of inactivity and with Australia's top-order selections still under scrutiny, Smith weathered an initial struggle to dominate the Queensland attack.
Smith made his century off 168 deliveries, an innings that included 20 fours and a six.
He was central to a massive 202-run partnership with number three Kurtis Patterson (122), who also scored a century.
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This century marks Smith’s first in the Sheffield Shield competition since November 2019, signaling that his prolific Test-match record, which includes 12 Ashes hundreds, remains very much intact.
Ashes selection worries ease ahead of Perth opener
Smith’s excellent innings stands in stark contrast to the struggles of other contenders vying for a spot in the starting XI for the first Test, which begins in Perth on November 21st.
While Smith himself is locked in, his century offers confidence, given Australia's other selections are being debated.
The search for an opener continues, as young hopeful Sam Konstas again fell cheaply, getting bowled for just 10 runs.
Furthermore, all-rounder Cameron Green struggled, making a six-ball duck and not bowling due to a side injury, casting doubt over his readiness to feature as a full all-rounder from the start.
The performance of Smith, who averages an exceptional 56.02 in Ashes contests, reassures selectors that a key pillar of the batting order is in prime condition, even as Australia awaits confirmation on captain Pat Cummins’ fitness to bowl.
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