Australia captain and man-of-the-match Steve Smith praised his team’s character after they saw off some stiff England resistance before trouncing the tourists by 10 wickets on day five of the series-opening Ashes test. Australia sealed a dominant victory before lunch on Monday, having chased 170 runs without the loss of a single wicket in a blow to England’s pride.
Australia sealed a dominant victory before lunch on on November 27, having chased 170 runs without the loss of a single wicket in a blow to England’s pride.
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“We had to show some really good character throughout,” Smith said at the post-match presentation.
The winning moment! #Ashes#ohwhatafeeling @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/xjml6352Hs
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 27, 2017
“Obviously losing the toss, and the wicket was a lot slower than we anticipated it would be. We had to work really hard. I thought the bowlers did a terrific job to get them out for 300,” he added.
Smith singled out spinner Nathan Lyon for his contribution to the win. He said: “Nathan Lyon was particularly good. He is going from strength to strength and bowling like a genius.
AUSSIES WIN! 1-0 #BeatEngland
Warner finishes 87* and Bancroft 82* as the hosts win by 10 wickets at the Gabba! https://t.co/P6sH6ROa7L #Ashes pic.twitter.com/kkxfmnzapw
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 27, 2017
“He did a terrific job holding up one end. The others got the wickets,” Smith added.
Both the teams will now face each other in the first day-night Ashes clash, starts in Adelaide on December 2.
Squads:
Australia – Steven Smith, David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers, Glenn Maxwell
England: Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, Joe Root, Dawid Malan, Gary Ballance, James Vince, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Mason Crane, Ben Foakes, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Jake Ball, Craig Overton, Tom Curran
