Steve Smith ton powers Aussie total of 481
Contrasting knocks from Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc helped Australia post an impressive first-innings total of 481 in the fifth Ashes Test.
Smith, who resumed day two on 78, continued his captain-elect’s knock at The Oval.
The right-hander fell for 143 after lunch, having put an incredibly high price on his wicket for 394 minutes before playing on to Steve Finn.
Finn and Ben Stokes both bowled well in the morning, when Moeen Ali snagged two wickets in the space of three balls as England fought back in the dead rubber.
Starc then hammered home the tourists’ advantage, which was built slowly and surely after Alastair Cook sent them in.
The tailender’s half-century came in 51 minutes, the best of his 10 boundaries being a lofted six back over the head of offspinner Ali.
Starc was dropped on 39 by Mark Wood at square leg before Stokes trapped him lbw on 58.
Umpire Kumar Dharmasena turned it down but Cook successfully reviewed, ending a 91-run stand.
It was Australia’s highest eight-wicket partnership at the venue, while Smith became the first Australian since Matthew Elliott in 1997 to score 500 runs in a UK Ashes series.
Finn squared Peter Siddle up with a fine ball on an awkward length to snare his third wicket and wrap up the innings.
The beanpole worked Smith over in similar fashion and looked to have dismissed him on 92.
The 26-year-old fished at a wide ball in the 94th over and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler gleefully accepted the edge.
Finn’s muted celebrations of his 100th Test scalp hinted something was amiss and replays confirmed he clearly overstepped.
“There’s just no sympathy for bowlers that keep doing this,” Shane Warne said while calling the game for Sky Sports.
“He berated himself at fine leg. He probably wanted to give himself an uppercut.”
Finn removed Mitch Marsh in the same spell, Ian Bell snaffling a thick edge above his head.
But he couldn’t stop Smith reaching three figures.
Smith, who faced 23 dot balls before scoring his first runs on Friday, regained composure.
The 26-year-old batted cautiously, especially as his knock ticked past five hours and an 11th Test ton beckoned.
Smith went from 96 to 100 with four singles, the last coming when he scampered through after a misfield from Stokes at mid-on.
Michael Clarke, who will retire after the five-Test series finale and hand the captaincy over to Smith, applauded from the pavilion.
Smith put on a 146-run stand with Adam Voges when the game was in the balance.
Voges scored a hard-fought 76, doing well to see off the second new ball.
Australia were 7-376 at lunch but not nearly as well placed as they could have been after Ali stuck twice in the final over of the morning session.
Peter Nevill was caught behind on the leg side, while Mitchell Johnson was bowled by a straightening ball.
– AAP