Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Australia's Smith makes up for lost time with brilliant ton

A hostile crowd and an Australia team in dire straits spurred Steve Smith to score one of the most memorable Ashes centuries as he made his test comeback against England on Thursday after being banned for his role in a ball-tampering scandal.

The 30-year-old Smith was greeted by a chorus of boos as he made his way to the crease. The home fans kept on taunting him by waving sandpaper throughout his innings.


But the distractions failed to knock Smith off his stride as he scored a brilliant 144 to help Australia recover from 122 for eight to 284 all out.

"I didn’t really know what to do (when I reached the century) to be honest, this has been a long time coming," Smith said after the opening day of the first test.

"I am lost for words.

"I am really proud that I was able to pull the team out of trouble. It has got to be one of my best 100s."

Smith was stripped of the captaincy and handed a 12-month ban by Cricket Australia after team mate Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera attempting to change the condition of the ball with sandpaper during a March 2018 test in South Africa.

Bancroft and David Warner were also banned for their part in the incident and returned to test action on Thursday.

"There were times throughout the last 15 months where I didn’t know if I was going to play cricket again. I lost a bit of love for the game," added Smith.

"I have never had those feelings before, fortunately that love has come back.

"I know I have the support of the guys in the dressing room. Just looking up at them sent shivers down my spine."

RAUCOUS CROWD

Retired Australia spinner Shane Warne said the raucous crowd at Edgbaston, especially England's Barmy Army, could get to "sensitive" Smith, who publicly broke down in tears in the aftermath of the ball tampering scandal.

But when Smith walked out with Australia struggling on 17-2, he was determined to prove his worth.

With the world watching, Smith crafted a sublime 219-ball knock in which he stroked 16 boundaries and two sixes before he was last man out, bowled by Stuart Broad.

Former India batsman Virender Sehwag hailed Smith as "one of the best batsman in test cricket", while ex-England captain Michael Vaughan summed up the effort as "one of the all-time outstanding test innings".

"To do that in his first innings back in test cricket is remarkable ... Sometimes you have to admire greatness," added Vaughan.

In the 54 matches Smith has played starting with the 2013 Oval Ashes test, he has chalked up a phenomenal first innings record.

If Australia bat first, he averages over 100 in the first innings, with 15 centuries in 30 innings.

"You have to bowl well at him (Smith) in the first 20 balls or so," Broad said. "He is arguably the best batsman in the world at batting with the tail.

"For us to win this Ashes series, we are going to have to get him out early."

Had Smith, who was well supported by tailenders Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon, succumbed early on, England were primed to seize the initiative when Australia were tottering on 122-8.

Instead, the pressure is now on England to match Smith's heroic exploits which, judging by his incredible batting display in Birmingham, will be no easy task.

More For You

10 Indian shows set to take over the world in 2025

The must-watch TV shows everyone is talking about right now

Netflix

10 Indian shows set to take over the world in 2025

Lights, camera, global domination! Move over, Hollywood because Indian TV is here to conquer the global stage! With riveting plots, magnetic performances, and storytelling that resonates across cultures, Indian series have gone from local treasures to global obsessions. Whether it’s a high-octane crime thriller, a heartwarming romance, or a royal drama packed with intrigue, these shows are set to take over screens worldwide. If you’re looking for binge-worthy brilliance, here are the 10 most anticipated Indian language TV series generating global buzz in 2025.

1. Delhi Crime: Season 3
Shefali Shah reprises her role as the formidable DIG Vartika Chaturvedi in this Emmy-winning crime saga. This season delves into a sinister human trafficking network, with Huma Qureshi joining the stellar cast. Gritty, unfiltered, and deeply compelling, the intensity is dialled up to eleven. Streaming on Netflix, this gritty series is crime storytelling at its absolute finest.


Keep ReadingShow less
The Asian superhero boom: How 2025 is expanding the superhero universe

Asian superheroes are taking center stage in global cinema, redefining representation and breaking barriers

The Asian superhero boom: How 2025 is expanding the superhero universe

Superheroes are evolving, and 2025 is proving to be a defining year for Asian heroes in global entertainment. With Ne Zha 2 dominating the box office and Marvel Zombies bringing fresh representation to the MCU, the Asian superwave isn’t just a fleeting trend but a movement reshaping the genre itself. These films and shows prove that superheroes can emerge from any culture and still connect with global audiences, breaking the long-held Western monopoly on the superhero narrative.

For years, Asian characters in Hollywood were either relegated to sidekick roles or even reduced to outdated stereotypes. But today, with Asian-led superhero films and series gaining international recognition, diverse heroes are no longer just an afterthought instead they’re at the forefront of the genre.

Keep ReadingShow less
Himesh Reshammiya’s £5.2M album that beat AR Rahman, Diljit Dosanjh and Sonu Nigam
And, Badass Ravi Kumar
And, Badass Ravi Kumar

Himesh Reshammiya’s £5.2M album that beat AR Rahman, Diljit Dosanjh and Sonu Nigam

This is the story of an album that stands above the rest, that sold a staggering 5.5 crore copies, and of a record that remains untouched for nearly two decades.

The Indian music industry witnessed an era of booming album sales in the 1990s and early 2000s, fuelled by film soundtracks and the rising popularity of Indipop. As music labels flourished, selling a million copies became common, and a few even touched the elusive 10-million mark.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-bjp-reuters

BJP supporters celebrate in New Delhi. (Photo: Reuters)

Modi's BJP wins Delhi assembly election after 27 years

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that "development had won" as his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victory in Delhi’s local elections, ending a 27-year gap since it last controlled the capital’s legislature.

"Development has won, good governance has won," Modi said after Delhi’s former chief minister, a key opposition leader, conceded defeat.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uganda-high-commission-event

The event also focused on Uganda’s role in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

Uganda high commission hosts heritage event in London

THE UGANDA high commission in London hosted an event highlighting Uganda’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Building. The event featured a performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir.

Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J Madhvani, addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and speaking about the country’s cultural diversity.

Keep ReadingShow less