Australian batsman Steve Smith made a remarkable comeback to the longest format of the game, as he hit centuries in both the innings of the first Ashes Test.

Steve Smith has overtaken Virat Kohli to become the second-fastest batsman to score 25 Tests tons and has also joined an exclusive list of players to score twin centuries in a Test match.

Ponting's comments came in after Smith was seen offering advice to bowlers and discussing with Paine on numerous occasions during the first Ashes Test match. 

Steve Smith and Travis Head put up 49 for the fourth wicket before bad light called for early stumps on Day 3.

Smith's grinding knock of 144 off 219 balls pulled Australia out of trouble to a respectable 284 after being eight down for 122 on the opening day of the first Ashes Test against England in Edgbaston on Thursday.

Steve Smith returned to Test cricket after 15 months with a century in the Ashes opener against England at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Steve Smith returned to action recently after serving a one year ban due to his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Steve Smith scored 144 off 219 balls at Birmingham on his return to Test cricket after 15 months but his fluency forces one to ask... did he ever leave?

Steve Smith reached his 24th Test ton in just 65 matches and it was just the 118th innings he was playing in red-ball cricket.

Former captain Smith earned his first Test ton — and 24th Test century overall in only 65 games — after a 12-month suspension for being involved in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Putting on a gritty, aggressive performance, it was 'classic' Smith at Edgbaston, leading from the front after the visitors had a horrid start to the innings.

Shoaib Akhtar has picked the best among the cricket's current fab four - Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith and Joe Root.

The first Test of the five-match series starts on August 1st at Edgbaston and it also marks the beginning of the World Test Championships.

In 2018, Warner and Smith were banned for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal. However, even after serving their ban, English fans were hostile against both in the recently concluded World Cup.

Steve Smith will take on David Warner, while the latter will be up against Nathan Lyon for a pre-Ashes trial match in Southampton.

Australia peaked at the right time and came into the 2019 World Cup as a hungry side and with the addition of David Warner and Steve Smith, the Aussies swept aside most of the teams on their way to the semis.

During the India- Australia clash, the Indian fans booed Smith and chanted 'cheater' when the defending champions were fielding. Kohli told the fans to clap and not to boo.

Steve Smith was constantly booed by Indian fans during the World Cup fixture between India and Australia at the Kennington Oval on June 9 which the Men in Blue won by 36 runs.

Steve Waugh, one of the toughest and most successful captains of all time, said he was impressed by Virat Kohli's action of asking the crowd to not boo Steve Smith.

A section of the Indian crowd was heard booing Steve Smith but Virat Kohli asked them to stop and clap instead because according to him, it was completely undeserving.