SMITH TARGETS A WHITEWASH AFTER AUSTRALIA WIN ASHES
▶ Captain credits team and selectors for unassailable 3-0 lead following England defeat at Perth
Shortly after winning the Ashes series against England yesterday, Australia captain Steve Smith threw down a new challenge to his team – win the remaining two Test matches to make it a 5-0 whitewash.
Smith was an integral part of the Australian side the last time they achieved the feat against their arch-rivals, also at home in 2013/14, but he would not mind doing it as captain.
“It’d be fantastic to do that and we’ll talk about Melbourne [venue for the fourth Test] when we get there,” he said after their innings-and-41-run win in the third Test at Perth.
“Right now, I’m just really satisfied with what we’ve achieved in these first three Test matches. I’d love to do that again, but we will just take it one step at a time.”
Australia dismissed England for 218 in their second innings after rain delays and a pitch controversy on the final day to win back the urn in the last Ashes Test to be played at the Waca Ground.
The home team won the opening two Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide.
“It’s been an amazing couple of weeks,” Smith said. “What the boys have delivered has been exceptional.
“England have had their foot in the door in a couple of games and we’ve been able to claw our way back to get back in the game, and then keep the foot on the throat.”
Smith also said the comprehensive result was vindication for the selectors for making some imaginative picks.
Tim Paine was not even keeping for his state side Tasmania when he was named for the first Test at the Gabba, while the recall of Shaun Marsh, 34, raised plenty of eyebrows.
Then batsman Peter Handscomb was dropped for the third Test, with underachieving all-rounder Mitchell Marsh getting a surprise recall.
Paine responded with polished performances behind the stumps and 130 runs at 43.33. Shaun Marsh produced a century in the second Test in Adelaide. His brother Mitchell notched his first Test century in making 181 at Perth.
“I thought they were really good selections,” Smith said.
“Painey has been mentioned as the best keeper in the country for a long period of time and the way he has kept has been exceptional. The way he has batted has been exceptional as well, we have had some very valuable runs from him at seven. Shaun Marsh as well, he’s come in and done a terrific job.”
There was high drama on the final day courtesy of a pitch controversy. Victory seemed assured for Australia when they had England 132-4 at the conclusion of the fourth day, still 127 runs behind, but a rain-damaged pitch threatened to foil the home side.
Showers caused play to be abandoned early on Day 4 and they continued through yesterday morning, with Australia needing just six more wickets to win.
Complicating matters was a damp spot on the pitch, just outside the popping crease at the southern end of the ground. Waca staff worked furiously with leaf blowers to try and dry the patch out as more showers passed through.
Umpires Chris Gaffaney and Marais Erasmus would not allow play to resume until they believed the pitch had been returned to the same condition as at the end of Day 4, which ended up being after lunch.
“It was a shame that some water was able to get through the covers in the first place at an international venue,” Smith said.
“The umpires made the right call to get us back on to play the game.”
Wickets tumbled upon the delayed resumption, with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood finishing with figures of 5-48.
Tim Paine was not even keeping for his state side Tasmania when he was named, while the recall of Shaun Marsh, 34, raised plenty of eyebrows