Australia retains the 'Ashes'

Old Trafford, Manchester: Dominant Australian side retains the 'Ashes' 2019, they go 2-1 up in the series with one Test Match to go. Australia with David Warner and Steve Smith back looks dominant as ever. Though only the later has been in the form of his life.

Two years back in 2017, England's slip toward a humbling 4-0 Ashes series defeat hastened quickly on the final day, as Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood blew away the batting order with pace and short pitched bowling, with spinner Nathan Lyon taking.

Australia's bowling attack - the potency of which has been one of the main points of difference between the two sides. 

England were inferior in every way, apart from catching. The pace in Australia’s attack, plus the spin of Nathan Lyon, destroyed the Poms. 

Exactly the same thing followed in this Ashes series, rather England did put a decent fight with the likes of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer.

Australia were able to pile up huge totals courtesy to the returning Steve Smith the man of the hour, against an England bowling line-up that lacked penetration, variety or, aside from Jofra Archer.

Steve Smith's dream run:

Smith is certainly in the ‘purple patch of his cricketing career’. Smith has had a great run in Test cricket on a few occasions in his Test career but nothing compares to the numbers he has generated since his comeback in 2019.

This Ashes series he has amassed 671 runs in 5 innings with 50+ scores in every innings, total of three hundreds including a Double hundred as well.

Source: CricTracker

He aggregated 536 runs in 10 innings at 59.55 including three hundreds from the Ashes Perth Test in 2013 to the Cape Town Test in March 2014.

He had a brilliant run from December 2014 (Adelaide; against India) to July 2015 (Lord’s; Ashes) – in 8 Tests he scored 1391 runs at an average of 115.91 with 5 hundreds and a double hundred.

In 14 Tests from December 2016 (Brisbane; against Pakistan) till the New Year Test against England in 2018, Smith had amassed 1746 runs in 14 Tests at an average of 87.3. This included 7 hundreds and a double ton.

What is mind boggling is that his current run threatens to overtake all these great periods he has had in his Test career.

Smith has scored 6788 runs in just 67 Tests at an average of 64.64. It is the second-highest average in Test history (min. 2000 runs) after Bradman (99.94). Only three other batsmen average above 60 in Test cricket – Graeme Pollock, George Headley and Sutcliffe.

Smith was the joint second-fastest (in terms of number of innings) to score 6000 Test runs. He took 111 innings to reach the landmark (same as Garry Sobers). He is also the second quickest to 26 Test hundreds taking 121 innings (after Bradman 69) ahead of Sachin Tendulkar (136), Gavaskar (144) and Matthew Hayden (145).

Smith did not have a great beginning to his Test career and averaged just 34.64 in his first 16 Tests till the end of 2013 registering only 2 hundreds. Since then, he has scored 5818 runs in 51 Tests at an average of 75.5 including 24 hundreds.

He averaged above 70 in 4 consecutive years – 2014-2017. Amongst the 96 batsmen who have scored a minimum of 5000 runs in Test cricket, Smith is the only one, apart from Bradman, to aggregate more than 100 runs per Test match played.

THE BEST AMONGST THE FAB 4:

There are several parameters which can be used to compare Smith with the other three great batsmen of his era – Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Joe Root.

The remarkable thing is that the Australian comes out atop on almost every single one of these. Not only does Smith have the highest average amongst the FAB 4 (overall career) but also the highest average (amongst all batsmen) since his debut (July 2010).

His Actual Average (Runs per Innings) is also the highest so is his average in winning Tests, and both by some margin. He has registered the maximum hundreds in the least Tests – 26 in 67 Tests – which means his frequency of scoring a hundred is the best amongst the Four (every 2.58 innings).

23 of his 26 hundreds have contributed to an Australian victory or resulted in a draw or tie. A measure of his application and temperament has been his ability to occupy long periods at the crease. His balls/match is also the highest amongst the FAB 4.

"It feels amazing to know the urn is coming home. I've been here a few times when things haven't gone our way. This was always one to tick off my bucket list. It's extremely satisfying" - Steve Smith#Ashes pic.twitter.com/wVvUCxOeDJ

— ICC (@ICC) September 8, 2019

He has been Australia’s Mr Dependable contributing to 18.84 % of his team runs in his career.

Smith is in the form of his life. The tougher the challenge the greater seems to be his performance. Barring the Don, he may soon leave behind every one in the race.

Australia have been dominant in the Ashes series in the recent times. In 2017 Ashes, Australia ran through England with 4-0 win and now with a 2-1 lead in 2019 Ashes Australia has an edge over England in the recent times, England on some special performances by Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes were able to put a fightback but has lacked performing well as a team, Joe Root's form also went in with the disadvantages of England.

With just one match to go in the series Australia already retained the Ashes will look to win it and gain the positions in points tally for the on going Test Championship, on the other hand England will look to restore pride by leveling the series.