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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Steve Smith falls short of Ashes hundred in first Test as captain since ball-tampering scandal

Steve Smith enjoyed an excellent return to the captaincy, despite falling short of his 28th hundred for Australia in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Smith, who had been controversially appointed vice-captain ahead of the series, was forced to take over the reins when Pat Cummins was ruled out of the Test after he was deemed a close contact of someone who tested positive for coronavirus.

Cummins had only been in charge for one Test, having taken over from Tim Paine after he resigned the captaincy over a historic sexting scandal.

For Smith, the Adelaide Test was his first in charge for three years, having stood down as captain in disgrace in the wake of the Newlands ball-tampering scandal.

Smith made 18 not out on day one and fell just seven runs short of converting that into a hundred on day two, having taken advantage of the groundwork that had been laid by David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne.

The express pace of Mark Wood saw Smith dismissed cheaply for just 12 in the first Test but, in his absence, the Australian skipper looked comfortable throughout his innings.

He has a remarkable record against England and came into this Test averaging 64.32 in 50 innings.

Smith has also struck 11 centuries in Ashes Tests and came close to bringing up his 12th hundred, before James Anderson got him out LBW for 93.

He did review the decision but it was ultimately unsuccessful, with the impact found to be umpire's call.

Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, former Australia captain Ian Chappell said: "He went back a long way and it kept low. As a bowler, I'd be cranky to see a batsman reviewing that."

Steve Smith was dismissed for 93 by James Anderson on day two of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

"There has been a mixed reception to Steve Smith being captain again, but he's got good applause from the Adelaide crowd," added ex-England bowler Jonathan Agnew.

Smith's dismissal was only the second time that a team has seen two batters get out in the 90s in the same innings in an Ashes Test, with Warner getting out for 95 on day one.

The first instance saw England lose Paul Collingwood for 96 and Kevin Pietersen for 92 at the Gabba in the 2006.

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