Ashes 2023: Steve Smith was disappointing in 100th Test, says Mark Taylor after England win at Headingley

Former Australian skipper Mark Taylor feels Steve Smith was disappointing in the 100th Test of his career. After scoring a brilliant knock of 110 runs in the first innings of the second Test match at Lord’s, Smith could not make the landmark Test into a memorable one as he returned with scores of 22 and 2 in the third match at Leeds, Headingley, which Australia lost by three wickets.

Smith was dismissed by Stuart Broad in the first innings and then Moeen Ali had him caught at short mid-wicket in the second essay. In fact, apart from scoring a century at Lord’s, Steve Smith has failed to deliver for Australia. Smith has so far scored 190 runs in three Test matches at an average of 31.67.

Speaking to World Wide of Sports, Mark Taylor said: “He ( Smith) was disappointing in his 100th Test, scoring no real runs. His second innings dismissal was a shock to all of us because it was so un-Smith like, but caught well as he always does.”

Smith has got off to some impressive starts in the series but Taylor feels the talisman needs to convert them into substantial scores. Australia managed scores of 263 and 224 in their two innings of third Test match and it was not enough in the end.

“He got a couple of starts, but like all of the batsmen, needs to start turning these 30s and 40s in to big scores,” Taylor added. “He knows that, and we all know Test match cricket is won by blokes making big hundreds, not 30s and 40s. He didn’t have a bad game, but need more from the top three batters to get big totals.”

On the other hand, Australian opener David Warner has failed to deliver at the top of the order. Warner could only return with scores of 1 and 4 in the third Test match and England veteran pacer Stuart Broad dismissed him in both innings.

Warner has scored 141 runs in three Test matches at an average of 23.50 in the ongoing Ashes against England and Taylor added the southpaw needs to give solid starts to his team.

“Australia need him to get them off to a start. He looked pretty sound in the first couple of games, particularly that 60-odd he made at Lord’s, but he didn’t look as good in this game with the bat, no doubt about that,” Taylor said.

Broad has consistently troubled Warner from the around-the-wicket angle and once again had his number in Headingley.

“Unfortunately in this game, that round-the-wicket ploy from Stuart Broad worried him again,” Taylor continued. “Would love to see him play that ball back more towards mid-off than towards mid-on. That’s where he’s getting himself into trouble.”

The fourth Ashes Test will be played at Old Trafford from 19th July onwards.