Days after producing one of the finest T20 knocks against Pakistan, Steve Smith prepared himself for the upcoming Tests with his slowest first-class century against Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield. It took him 290 balls to reach the milestone are the most he has ever faced reaching the triple-figure.

“After playing the T20s it was about coming back and getting back into that red-ball cricket and finding the right way to go about it,” Steve Smith was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. “I was a bit slower than I would have liked but it wasn’t easy. The wicket was pretty slow.”

“It’s probably the way I play my best, when I’m just patient and playing each ball on its merit. They bowled some pretty good spells and didn’t let me score too much. I just hung in there. I just had to grind it out,” he added.

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Steve Smith was batting with his ability to adapt to a variety of situations. He single-handedly held Australia’s batting together in the whole Ashes series. However, he was finally dismissed in the domestic game after six hours for 103 by Marcus Stoinis.

“I didn’t feel as though I hit it but that happens in cricket, you’ve just got to move on,” said Smith. “I like playing cricket at the Gabba. Australia’s got a great record there,” he said. “I’m excited about getting back out there and playing some Test cricket in front of the home fans.”