That was Steven Smith's journey of the recent past in a nutshell. Before tough times arrived at Cape Town, Smith was fresh - or may be not exactly, thus prompting his desperate actions there - after a lengthy home season where he hit two match-saving tons - apart from a double century - against England. Smith seemed immovable until foul play intervened with the tampering of the ball in South Africa.

He led with example and playing rescue acts had become a habit in a batting line-up most dependent on their captain. A dogged and stubborn knock of 141* at Brisbane - from a situation of 4 down for 76 where none of the other top five crossed twenty-six - meant Australia would go on to win by 10 wickets courtesy Smith's stay at the crease. A month and a half later, a sturdy and watchful 102* kept England winless at Melbourne despite the series already in Australia's pocket, thus proving his resolve yet again. In between those came his career-best 239 at Perth, batting for almost ten hours and sharing 301 for the fifth wicket with Mitchell Marsh, all but sealing the Ashes for Australia with two matches to go.

But despite all that momentum and form which Smith carried to South Africa, a suicidal attempt to gain advantage in the third Test on the tour meant he was left ashamed and broken in the public. His image of a win-at-all-costs player and captain was fuelled further after the notorious "brain fade" in the Bangalore Test in 2017, when he turned around to consult the dressing room for a review on being given leg before in a run chase on a wearing fourth day wicket.

But after a year out in the wilderness, Smith got back to business amid boos in England on the way to Australia's semi-final spot in the World Cup. Hitting 379 runs with four half-centuries meant Smith was returning to doing what he did best - scoring runs when it mattered most, with the tournament capped off by a solitary fighting effort of 85 against the hosts in the semi-final.

Smith’s hunger for runs though hardly waned while in exile, and despite only a more than decent run at the World Cup, he hammered twin tons in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston two weeks back. From 122 for 8 on day one, Smith rescued Australia with a determined 144 in the company of the tail, providing lessons for his batting colleagues; in the second innings, with England 90 ahead and Australia three down early, he resumed from where had left off to bat like a studious student keen to score good marks. This time carting 142, Smith led Australia to an eventual win by 251 runs.



And while looking like the only comfortable visiting batsman again in the second Test at Lord’s, he was well set and sailing on 80 before tragedy struck. Debutant Jofra Archer, bowling short with rapid pace and venom, smacked Smith on the neck immediately below his left ear. Smith collapsed to the ground before lying upside down, as the world watched in worry, the horrors of Phil Hughes’ death haunting cricket yet again. Medical staff from both sides rushed within moments as trepidation and trauma gripped Lord’s on a sunny Saturday afternoon. But soon Smith passed the concussion test while remaining surrounded by the English players and as a precaution, walked off retired hurt to a warm appreciation from the crowd.

While the cameras remained attentive to know of his state, Smith bravely walked out to a great response from the Australian supporters to complete the unfinished business on the fall of the next wicket. As if batting even while away, the second ball he faced was swung over mid-wicket for four with the third one cracked through covers for another boundary. Two overs later though, first an outside edge for four and then a rare misjudgement from Smith meant he was gone for 92, trapped leg before to one he expected to swerve away from him.

More than the runs, his character stood out - Smith returned to bat sensing the need for Australia to get closer to England's total. This very character of his took a beating at Cape Town one and a half years ago; but having seen and experienced it all - runs with the bat to shame on the field and back - Smith's journey has surely not been easy.