Second Test in Adelaide
would be proud of their Devon-born son, one half of a twin combination who ply their trade for Somerset, while sibling Jamie was struggling to get hooked up to BT Sport to watch his brother play.
He needn’t worry too much since the wicket of Smith will be replayed many times over, such is its importance to any opposition.
Smith had seemed just as determined as he was in Brisbane to make an impact.
But perhaps he was a little bit too obsessed with getting into a row as he sparked heated words with both Stuart Broad and James Anderson. There is no chance that this series will lose its edge, but it was good to see a few smiles in addition to the choice words between the players, which Overton reckons might have thrown the Aussie skipper off his game.
Exaggerating
“I don’t know what was said,” added Overton. “It looked like they got under his skin, but he still got 40 and batted pretty well.
“It was nice to get him in the end, but just the way he left the ball, almost exaggerating a little bit. He didn’t do that on the first day at Brisbane. I don’t know if he was doing that to wind us up a little bit.”
Smith clearly enjoyed the verbal battle and for the most part he was on top.
But it only takes one moment, one hesitation and it is all over, as David Warner also found out when he edged Chris Woakes behind on 47.
The visiting supporters enjoyed that one with the Barmy Army in full voice throughout a day when more people than ever before watched cricket at this famous old ground, as a whopping 55,317 came through the gates.
Who says Test cricket is dying?