Steve Smith announced himself as a Test batsman with an unbeaten maiden hundred that powered Australia to a big first innings total on day two of the fifth Test at The Oval.
Australia declared at 9-492 from 128.5 overs, with Smith still standing after a brilliant 138 not out that selectors will hope is a career-turning point for the talented 24-year-old.
The declaration gave England 25 overs to survive before stumps.
Smith became just the sixth Australian to register his first Test century with a six, when he sent part-timer Jonathan Trott back over his head in booming fashion.
It was an emphatic statement from a player who was at somewhat of a crossroads leading into the match.
However, the Australian No.5 finally broke through for the milestone he needed to properly establish himself in the middle order, his hundred coming up in 198 balls with 14 fours and two sixes.
Australia hit the accelerator after tea, to pile on 95 runs from 11.5 overs, with Smith sharing in valuable lower-order stands with debutant James Faulkner (23), Mitchell Starc (13) and Ryan Harris (33).
England’s stalling tactics returned, with those 11.5 overs taking 64 minutes to bowl.
However, anchored by Shane Watson (176) and Smith, Australia’s struggling batting line-up put together its second comprehensive performance of the tour after the third Test at Old Trafford.
Australia declared at 7(dec)-527 in Manchester, and were only denied victory by rain.
Unfortunately the weather has now intervened at The Oval as well.
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 (4-95).
Brad Haddin (30) then came to the crease to join Smith and the pair put on 65.
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.
Michael 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.
