On August 5, 2019, Steve Smith announced his comeback in Test cricket in style after serving a one-year ban by scoring twin centuries in the first match of Ashes series that year. Australian cricket team received a big setback in March 2018 after two of their star players were banned from all forms of cricket for a year following the controversial ‘Ball tempering incident’ during a Test match against South Africa. Captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were found guilty for making a pre-meditated plan.
Cameron Bancroft was also part of the plan as he was caught using the sandpaper on the ball during a live telecast of the match. As a consequence, Steve Smith lost his captaincy while David Warner was also banned from captaincy for lifetime. It turned out to be a tough year for both Smith and Warner as they couldn’t play their favourite sport. However, the ban finally ended after an year and both the players made their return in international cricket in June 2019.
Steve Smith made twin-tons on his return to international cricket
The first match of the 2019 Ashes was played at Edgbaston, Birmingham from August 1 to 5. Batting first, Australia were bowled out for 284 runs in the first innings, with Steve Smith top scoring with 144(219) runs, making a statement on his return to Test, Stuart Broad took a five-wicket haul. In reply, England posted 374 runs taking a lead of 90 runs in the first innings.
In the second innings, Steve Smith turned out to be a star with the bat again as he became fifth Australian batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test match. The right-hander scored 142(207) along with Matthew Wade’s 110-run knock as Australia posted 487/7 in the second innings giving a target of 398 runs to England. In reply, England were bowled out for 146 runs as Australia registered a famous win by 251 runs.
