10 most emotional moments in Ashes history

#9 Triumph of will

Steve Smith celebrates his double century

Australia might have lost the 2015 Ashes series, but, on the hostile English land, one of their own became a legend to be celebrated.

Steve Smith's gritty innings of 215 at Lord's validated his position as the world's top-ranked batsman.

Smith, who hit his maiden double century, became the third Australian to reach 200 at Lord's after Donald Bradman and Bill Brown.

The then 26-year-old's promotion to number three in Australia's batting order was being questioned by many but Smith's batting curve continued its upward trajectory as he scored his sixth ton in eight first innings.