Smith's masterful ton as England crack in Ashes battle
BRISBANE, Australia, Nov 25, 2017 (AFP) - Steve Smith produced a defiant unconquered century and Josh Hazlewood claimed two wickets to leave England reeling as Australia cracked open the first Ashes Test at the Gabba on Saturday.
The Australian skipper played one of his greatest Test knocks with an unbeaten 141, crafted over eight and a half hours, to deliver his team a 26- run lead over the tourists on the third day.
Paceman Hazlewood compound- ed the tourists' woes with the wickets of Alastair Cook (7) and James Vince (2) in his opening two overs before a nasty Mitchell Starc lifter thundered into Joe Root's helmet grille late in the day.
At the close with two days left, England were hanging on in a torrid ending to the day at 33 for two, leading by just seven runs with Root, on five, and Mark Stoneman, on 19, at the crease.
England captain Root did everything to remove the obdurate Smith with ' Bodyline'- style field placings, but the world's top-rated batsman laid waste to the tourists' well- laid plans to give the Australians the advantage at the Gabba, where they haven't lost a Test since 1988.
It was an uncharacteristic knock by the shotmaker Smith, with his 21st Test century built on unwavering concentration and patience to defy all of England's efforts to dislodge him.
When Australia's first innings finally ended, Smith was still there after 326 balls over 514 minutes with 14 fours.
Smith -- who averages 61.23 in 57 Tests but 72.46 as Test captain, second only to the great Don Bradman -- consummated his indomitable hundred with a cover drive for four off Stuart Broad to a huge roar from the home crowd.
Smith effectively carried his team past England's total, but needed resolute lower- order support from Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon as the last six wickets added 252 runs.
The fidgety Smith was tied down by meticulous England bowling and fielding after losing three batting partners in the morning session, before paceman Cummins joined him at 209 for seven in the 82nd over.
Cummins played a pivotal sup-