Ashes 2017/18, 5th Test, Day 3: 5 things we learnt from the day

#4 Steven Smith's Ashes gets better

Steven Smith has been immaculate with the bat in the series

In the future, if ever a series is tried to be identified on the basis of one player alone, the 2017/18 Ashes should go under the category of Steven Smith. The Australian skipper has made batting look effortless all through the series in his Bradman-esque run. He has more than 700 runs in the series and rarely appeared perturbed by the England bowlers.

If the visitors thought they had seen the last of Smith after Australia's Ashes win, they did not take into account his sheer hunger and that Sydney was his home ground. The flamboyant batsman raced past his half-century and looked set for a ton when the 188 run stand between him and Khawaja was broken. Surprisingly, it was Smith who chopped back a catch to Moeen Ali and departed before he could get to the three-figure mark.