A brilliant innings from former Worcestershire CCC T20 player Steve Smith earned Australia the advantage after day three of the opening Ashes Test in Australia.
Smith scored a superb 141 not out as Australia recovered from 75-4 and 209-7 to reach 328 – a first innings lead of 26.
It was his 21st hundred in 57 Tests and he has converted half of his fifty plus scores into centuries at the highest level.
Then Aussie paceman Josh Hazlewood ripped out the wickets of Alastair Cook and James Vince as England closed on 33-2 – a lead of seven runs.
Smith batted for 326 deliveries and struck 14 boundaries.
He received admirable support today from Pat Cummins (42) in an eighth wicket partnership of 66.
Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen Ali had to be content with one more wicket after resuming with figures of 1-50 from 19 overs.
He bowled Hazlewood (6) after he had a swish across the line – ninth out at 298.
The 30-year-old ended with an analysis of 30-8-74-2 to go with his useful 38 in England’s first innings.
