If circumstances mean he never walks onto the SCG again for Australia, the 46,161 fans in attendance will long remember the clinic they witnessed as Smith brought up Test century No.37 and his 13th against England.
That tally leaves him sixth on the all-time list, one behind Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara (38) and four adrift of Ricky Ponting’s 41.
Steve Smith walks off at stumps on day three, unbeaten on 129.Credit: Getty Images
Smith (3682 runs at 57.53) also went past Jack Hobbs (3636 runs at 54.26) into second place on the list for most Ashes runs, still well behind Bradman’s 5028 runs from 37 matches at 89.78.
“A couple of hundreds last summer perked him back up,” Head said of Smith after play. “We’ve been very fortunate to be successful, which helps, and he’s played a huge role in that. I think he prides himself on his batting ability, but he also brings a lot in leadership. I hope he plays for a long time.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Khawaja perished for 17 in what could be his final Test innings. After a warm reception as he walked out to bat – shortly after Head had been trapped lbw by part-timer Jacob Bethell – Khawaja took the crease amid hopes of a fairytale finish to a stellar career.
It was not to be, however, as Khawaja was out lbw off Brydon Carse to a full inswinger after a review that felt justified given the significance of the moment for the 89-Test stalwart, who had announced his retirement before the match.
Cameron Green showed a level of confidence and composure not seen earlier in the series, belting a hook shot into the Brewongle Stand to raise hopes of a breakthrough knock on home soil.
But on 37, a Green pull shot failed to clear the rope, and he was caught by Ben Duckett, raising further questions about his place in the side.
Beau Webster (42 not out) chipped in with an entertaining cameo at No.9, given Michael Neser had been deployed as nightwatchman on day two, in his first Test innings since Australia’s tour of the Caribbean. It was a strong message to selectors given Green’s issues with the bat this summer.
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Smith and Webster’s unbeaten partnership of 81 sets up Australia perfectly for day four against a tired England attack that looked like they can’t wait to get home.
“All the guys that have played the full five Test matches will definitely be tired mentally and physically,” Bethell said after taking 1-50 from 15 overs of left-arm off-spin that drew comparisons to Michael Clarke. “But that’s kind of what comes with a five-match series.”
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