Steve Smith tightened Australia’s grip on the Ashes urn with a third century of the series in a batting masterclass in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
Having missed the third Test at Headingley with concussion, Smith showed the blow from Jofra Archer had done nothing to shake his dominance of an England attack that is fast running out of answers.
And with his 26th Test century helping to extend Australia’s first innings score to an ominous 245-5 at lunch, it looks as though he is dragging the Ashes out of England’s reach.
Archer was kicking himself more than most at lunch having seen the one chance to send Smith packing, for 67, slip through his fingers off his own bowling in the second over of the day.
A straight drive ricocheted off his palm as he stuck out a right hand in his follow through.
After that the England quick’s bouncers, Stuart Broad’s swing, Jack Leach’s spin and Craig Overton’s willing muscle could do nothing to unsettle him.
Smith has proved the immovable force for many sides and confirmed his position as Test batting’s No 1 performer rising once again above India star Virat Kohli earlier this week.
Yet his control over England in Ashes cricket is reaching epic proportions.
Smith now has six centuries in the last two series – including a 239 in Perth in December 2017 – and yesterday’s unbeaten knock stretched his average against England in that time to 145.75.
Just Don Bradman and Jack Hobbs have more centuries in Ashes Tests than his 11.
Getting Smith out looks key to England having any chance in this match or series with a victory here in Manchester enough to secure the Ashes urn for another two and a half years.
Travis Head was lbw to Stuart Broad for 19 to leave the tourists 183-4 and give him a third wicket of the match while Matthew Wade skied a catch to Joe Root at mid on getting underneath a lofted delivery from Leach.
But aside from that and the early chance for Archer it was one way traffic.