Twitter Reactions: Steve Smith and Matthew Wade bat England out of the game

Steve Smith was in the company of Travis Head as Australia walked out to bat on day-4 of the 1st Test in the Ashes. Right at the start, the Kangaroos were under great pressure. They couldn’t afford to lose some quick wickets and concede the advantage to England. The two overnight batsmen took up the responsibility and came up with a brilliant partnership.

They went onto add 130 runs for the 4th wicket before Head fell to Ben Stokes soon after reaching his fifty. Smith and Matthew Wade, though, kept the foot on the pedal and forged together another wonderful partnership. The former Australian skipper, who continued batting with an overnight score of 46, ended up playing gem of a knock.

Yet again, he took this opportunity to prove to the world why he is the best in this format at the moment. He showed some great composure and played a few glorious shots. His runs came at a decent strike rate as well and he got a perfect partner in Matthew Wade at the other end. Steve Smith registered his 25th Test century and also his second one in this match.

Did Australia take too long to declare?

Steve Smith scored 142 runs before Chris Woakes managed to find his edge while operating with the second new ball. The comeback man, Matthew Wade, also went on to reach the triple figures and made a point as to why he deserved a place in the side. This is only his third century in Test cricket while skipper Tim Paine played an aggressive cameo of a 44-ball 34. James Pattinson (47 off 48 balls) and Pat Cummins (26 off 33 balls) provided the team with the final impetus before they declared at 487/7.

England were set a target of 398 runs to win the game which looks slightly improbable. Only two results are possible in the game. The openers did well to survive the tricky final phase of play. Jason Roy and Rory Burns put on 13 runs on the board in the final 7 overs and England will hope that they bat for a long duration on day-5 as well.

Twitterati was of the opinion that Australia took too long to declare. Fans opined that they should have declared as soon as they got a lead over 300. At the same time, Steve Smith and Matthew Wade were showed with great praise. Many hailed Steve Smith as the best Test batsman of modern times.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to the way things have panned out on Day-4:

Respect…incredible resilience , skill and above all mental strength. @stevesmith49 twin ????‘s #Ashes

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) August 4, 2019

A privilege to witness the highest Test partnership between two Tasmanian wicketkeepers. #Ashes

— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) August 4, 2019

Take a bow @stevesmith49 what a player #Ashes19 #AusvsEng

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 4, 2019

Steve Smith is a great player obviously, but more than that, he has incredible mental strength & resilience. He is single-handedly taking this game away from us. #Ashes19 pic.twitter.com/ue9SlxppfQ

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 4, 2019

A century in both innings. I much preferred @stevesmith49 when he was sanding his balls rather than spanking our balls. #ashes2019

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 4, 2019

Steve Smith scored his first 100 at The Oval in 2013. Since the start of that innings he is averaging 71.93 in 97 innings. In cricket, you hardly come across batsmen averaging 70 even in 20 inns. To main that average for nearly 100 inns is just INCREDIBLE! #Ashes

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) August 4, 2019

Steve Smith may be one of the most patient humans on the planet. #Ashes

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) August 4, 2019

Great comeback Test for
Steve Smith (286 runs – most runs in a Test match) – missed 9 Tests
Matthew Wade (110 runs – highest Test score) – missed 17 Tests
James Pattinson (47* – highest Test score) – missed 32 Tests#Ashes#Ashes19#EngvAus #EngvsAus

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 4, 2019

Non-reviewing, wise and mature Broad is far less fun than deadly-certain-appealing, throw-your-bat-at-everything Broad, frankly. #ENGvAUS

— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) August 4, 2019

In the history of the game, only Don Bradman has been quicker to 25 Test hundreds than Steve Smith. Such a privilege to watch a great at work. #ENGvAUS

— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) August 4, 2019