Steven Smith Turns SCG Into His Stage Once Again

Steven Smith finished the day unbeaten on 129, his whites covered in soil, soaking up the applause like a player still in full command. Before the match, he dismissed talk that this could be his final Test, and his innings showed exactly why he has no plans to step aside.

When Smith arrived at the crease, Australia was already comfortable at 234 for 3. Facing an England attack missing several frontline quicks, he crafted one of his most comfortable centuries. For the first portion of his innings, he played alongside Travis Head, then gradually took over the tempo of the day.

He handled every seamer with precision, finding boundaries at will, waiting calmly before the second new ball, then cashing in when England erred in length. Jacob Bethell’s spin brought scoring opportunities as well, highlighted by one straight hit that sailed back over the bowler’s head for six.

Like Joe Root, Smith now operates in a rare space where every century pushes him deeper into history. This knock marked his 13th hundred in the Ashes, second only to Don Bradman, reinforcing how completely he thrives in this rivalry.

Smith Enjoys The Moment As England Struggle To Contain Him

Australia had barely needed Smith earlier in the series, yet this Test provided his chance to truly stamp authority again. After earlier low scores in Perth and Brisbane and missing the Adelaide match through illness, the SCG became the setting for another defining Ashes performance.

He was given an early life when Zak Crawley spilled a tough chance at leg gully. From there, England barely laid a hand on him. His quirks returned, too. He fidgeted, gestured, stopped proceedings when the sightscreen distracted him, and even reacted to fans moving back to their seats with snacks. At one point, the stump microphones picked up a complaint:

"Seriously, security here sucks."

He also asked Brydon Carse to move his sunglasses and performed dramatic evasions under bouncers, drawing laughter from the crowd. After reaching three figures, he acknowledged both Australian and England fans with a playful tap of the bat.

Later, he explained that those gestures came from feeling completely confident.

"Yeah, it just kind of happens when I'm out there, and I think when I'm doing all those things, it probably means I'm in a really good zone, so hopefully we can see a few more of them."

He also credited Travis Head for helping set the platform earlier in the innings.

"When you're batting with him, they forget about you a little bit, the way he's going at the moment."

He also spoke about how the SCG surface suited his style, especially on his own home ground.

Future Plans, Leadership Value, And Admiration From Teammates

Smith’s future has been a recurring question, particularly at age 36. He admitted he will not likely still be playing next Ashes, but made it clear he has no immediate plans to step away.

"I'm taking it day by day, series by series, and we'll see where things land," he said. "I feel like I'm doing all right at the moment. I'm enjoying it. I'm contributing and having fun. There's no real end date for me, I suppose… I want to keep playing."

Travis Head praised him not only for batting but also for leadership qualities that continue to carry weight within the squad.

"He prides himself on obviously his batting ability, but he also brings a lot to leadership… He's done a fantastic job when he has done that," Head said.

And he summed up what many teammates quietly feel:

"It'd be silly not to say we want him forever. I hope he plays for a long time."