Australian batsman Steve Smith and England bowling coach David Saker give their thoughts after the second day of the fifth Ashes test at the Oval on Thursday
Australia set an imposing total of 492 before declaring with one wicket remaining after a rain interrupted second day of the fifth and final Ashes Test of the series.
Steve Smith struck his first Test century – launching an audacious six to bring up the landmark score – as Australia continued to dictate the course of the Test.He made an unbeaten 138 before the tourists declared in the final session.
England’s openers then survived a testing spell from the Australia pace attack to reach 32-0 at the close, with Alastair Cook on 17 and Joe Root 13.
With the hosts having already won the series, Australia are desperate to win the final test and salvage some pride, not to mention gain a timely confidence boost ahead of the return series which starts in November.
Q: You brought up your century with a six. Was that always the plan?
“I probably wouldn’t have played quite the same shot if it was someone else bowling. Jonathan Trott is obviously a part-timer, he doesn’t bowl too often. I said to Hadds (Brad Haddin) between overs I said what do you reckon to just hitting him over his head and he said just keep a clear mind and if it’s there, go for it. And it was there and I managed to get it away.”
Steve Smith, Australian batsman
Q: It was your maiden Test century. How did it feel?
“It was an unbelievable feeling. Obviously I’ve played 12 tests now and I would have hoped it would have come sooner but it’s a great feeling to get one hundred in a Test match.”
Steve Smith, Australian batsman
Steve Smith, Australian batsman (Q: What was the thinking behind declaring on 492-9?)
“Well I think I was told to try and keep the strike. Obviously we didn’t want to give Jimmy Anderson the chance to get five wickets to be honest, so we pulled the plug there.”
Steve Smith, Australian batsman
“Yes I think we’ve just got to try and take it as a positive. There has been times when the sessions that we have lost, we’ve lost them in very big clumps of wickets particularly. So looking forward it’s always a positive to know that we are playing good cricket and we have got that in us and going forward, that’s the kind of brand of cricket that we’re looking to play. So going forward, this Test match and then back in Australia, it’s all positive and hopefully we can carry on with this mood.”
Steve Smith, Australian batsman
Q: Now that you’re batting, what do you think England need to do?
“well we still think we can win the match from where we sit. We’re going to go out there and try to put on a big score. They’re in a strong position. They batted really well for two days. We know with the Oval wicket it sometimes can dry up and become something of turner which is probably why we’ve picked two spinners and if we can bat well enough, for long enough, the game is still on.”
David Saker, English bowling coach
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