Delight to score century in tough circumstances: Steve Smith

Steve Smith entered Sydney Cricket Ground folklore on Friday with a career defining test century to wrestle back control on the first day of the fifth Ashes test against England. Smith’s 115 came off 142 balls and included 16 boundaries and a six over mid-wicket off debutant spinner Scott Borthwick to move to 99, followed by a four in the same over to reach the milestone. “It’s my favorite place to play so I’m absolutely delighted to have got a hundred out here in tough circumstances and get the team in a good position,” said Smith, who has made two centuries this series after his maiden test century in the Ashes series in England in 2013. [caption id=“attachment_1321527” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Smith’s 115 came off 142 balls and included 16 boundaries and a six. Getty Images[/caption] “I haven’t played with too many nerves in this series. I’ve felt quite good every time I’ve gone to the crease and obviously I haven’t converted into big scores as much as I would have liked, but I’ve certainly felt good at the crease and today I guess was my day.” Smith’s innings was ended by Ben Stokes (6-99) when he teased Smith into driving straight to substitute fielder Joe Root at mid-on. Smith’s shared a 128-run partnership with Brad Haddin (75) to take Australia to 326 all out after the hosts had slumped to 97-5 shortly after lunch and swung the game heavily back into Australia’s favor as it seeks a 5-0 series whitewash which will lift it above England in the world rankings. “Brad was great out there, he was great to bat with,” Smith said. “I sort of took a back seat and just watched him go and the way he played his shots today was brilliant to form a partnership with him and get us in the position we are now, it’s great.” AP