AFP, Brisbane :
Skipper Steve Smith led a rescue mission to revive Australia’s fortunes after a top-order batting collapse in the Ashes Test against England in Brisbane on Friday.
Home hopes rested on Smith to mount a fighting rearguard after the loss of four wickets in a faltering chase after England’s first innings of 302 at the Gabba.
At the close on the second day, the Australians were 165 for four and trailing by 137 runs, with Smith unbeaten on 64 and Shaun Marsh not out 44.
It left the match intriguingly poised once again after England ended day one in a similar position before collapsing before lunch on Friday.
Smith was then thrust into another high pressure situation after Australia suffered a now-familiar malfunction at the top of the order. “He’s number one batter in the world, he knows his game better than anyone else and he goes out there and sticks to a plan and a process and it works for him, so hats off to our captain,” said Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
England had done their homework, encircling Smith with fielders and trying to frustrate the fidgety Australian captain into playing a rash shot.
But Smith, Test cricket’s top-rated batsman, stepped up to the challenge with a defiant knock off 148 balls.
