Smith grinds down England’s Ashes hopes

ELLEN WHITE INTERVIEW

England’s hopes of regaining the Ashes are hanging by a thread after Steve Smith scored a double century on his return to Australia’s Test side and Ben Stokes suffered an injury scare. Australia will return home with the Ashes if they win at Old Trafford, and they put themselves in a near unassailable position by declaring on 497-8. Smith was dropped and then dismissed off a no-ball on his way to 211. England were 23-1 in reply.