Steve Smith took the advice of Australian captain Michael Clarke to heart as he blasted a six down the ground to bring up his maiden Test century.
The Australian No.5 finally broke through for the milestone he needed to establish himself in the middle order, his hundred coming up in 198 balls with 14 fours and two sixes.
At tea on a rain-affected day two in the fifth Test at The Oval, Australia were 6-397, with Smith not out 112 and debutant James Faulkner unbeaten on 1.
Night watchman Peter Siddle fell on the first ball he faced when play resumed two and a half hours late, copping a jaffa from James Anderson (3-89).
Brad Haddin then came to the crease to join Smith and the pair put on 65.
However, just four balls after Smith had smashed Jonathan Trott over his head for six, Haddin played the part-timer onto his stumps and cursed himself as he trudged off for 30.
But Smith is still at the crease and since he slashed at one on the first ball he faced on day one, he’s looked impressively solid.
Throughout a remarkably up and down series, predictions about Smith’s future couldn’t have been more diverse.
Some see him as Australia’s next Test captain and others as the next dead man walking in the batting order.
Indeed Smith was lucky to survive for the fifth Test at The Oval, after a disastrous performance at Chester-le-Street where he dropped catches and threw his wicket away carelessly.
Usman Khawaja instead copped the bullet.
Since his return to the team this year, Smith fell for 92 at Mohali and 89 at Old Trafford and admitted he let himself get too nervous as he approached three figures.
Clarke sat down with the 24-year-old afterwards and advised him to focus on 150 instead of 100.
The tip worked a charm.
Sitting on 94, Smith didn’t appear to have a care in the world as he effortlessly slammed launched Trott over his head for a maximum.
Smith yelled “you beauty” at the top of his lungs as he was embraced by batting partner Brad Haddin.
Then the blond-haired batsman, who started his Test career as a legspinner, raised his helmet and bat to a standing ovation from a soggy crowd and the Australian dressing room.
Smith has been somewhat of a paradox this series.
He’s had two half centuries and a ton and is clearly a far more mature cricketer now in 2013 than two years ago when he was last in the team.
However, Smith has played immature shots at crucial times this series to throw his wicket away.
Smith looks good against the spinners but still struggles against the fast, moving ball.
However, he’s a talent that needs to continue to be supported by the coaching staff.
