Australia have retained the Ashes after beating
England by 185 runs at Old Trafford in the fourth Test with Joe Root crediting rival batsman Steve Smith for costing the hosts the Urn. Smith, who made 211 and 82 in the match as he continued his prolific series where he has now made 671 runs at an average of 134.2 with three centuries and two half-centuries.
The victory was a convincing one but England's spirit cannot be criticised as they fought until the final hour in their attempt to save the Test, but the tourists lead the five Test series 2-1 heading into the final test at The Oval as they look to win the series on English soil for the first time since 2001.The scary thing is Steve Smith’s getting better, says Tim Paine