Steve Smith hit an impressive 211 as Australia declared on 497-8 on day two of the fourth Ashes Test with England on 23-1 at stumps. The former captain, who returned to the Baggy Greens’ fold in Manchester after missing the third Test defeat at Headingley because of concussion, resumed on 60 with the tourists on 170-3 after a rain-affected first day.
Smith should have walked early but he was dropped by Jofra Archer on 65, before Stuart Broad took his third wicket of the Australia first innings when removing Travis Head lbw for 19. Matthew Wade was caught by Joe Root from the bowling of Jack Leach with the Aussies on 224-5.
Related: Kohli Offers No Excuses For Latest RCB Defeat
But current captain Tim Paine joined Smith at the crease and the pair hit a 145-run partnership until the latter was caught by Jonny Bairstow from a Craig Overton delivery on 58. Smith had passed his 150 total by that stage having survived another scare when he was caught from a Leach no-ball on 118.
Pat Cummins lasted four runs and Smith finally lost his wicket when he hit a Root delivery to Joe Denly, while Mitchell Starc kept building up the runs with an unbeaten 54.
England were put into bat for the final hour of play and lost a key wicket when Denly was caught by Wade from the bowling of Cummins on four. Rory Burns and nightwatchman Overton survived until stumps as England will resume on 23-1 on Friday morning.
