“Yeah I had some luck and you always need some luck when you score big runs. It fell my way today. I lost a bit of concentration I reckon for 20 minutes or so when Leach was bowling. I tried to hit one into next week and it landed safely and then I got a nick from a ball that spun and bounced a bit. I didn’t have to play it the way I did. After I got caught off a no-ball, I switched myself back on and got back to where I needed to be,” he told reporters.

And while he accepted the kudos and spoke about how proud he felt, he also provided an indication of how disappointed he was for getting out. “For the second time I’ve got out to Joe Root on 200 so I’m putting that one away I think,” Smith said.

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Smith missed the previous Test at Headingley due to a head blow suffered in the second Test at Lord’s. He has made a sterling return to the series and his form will play a leading role if Australia are to retain the Ashes. No Australian side has won an Ashes series in England since Steve Waugh’s all-conquering outfit claimed the urn in 2001.

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