Australian batsman Steve Smith rushed to the stands and kissed the wife who has stood by him through the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ cheating controversy after scoring an inspirational century in the face of abuse and taunts from boorish English fans.
Smith made 144 in one of the best comeback stories in Australian sport in decades – 18 months after being rubbed out of the game for the cheating scandal involving fellow stars David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
His century, his 24th in total and fourth in England, was more than half his team’s total of 284.
Smith kissed wife Dani after he was out in an innings that made sure Australia were far from disgraced after day one of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, in Birmingham, on Thursday.
His wife’s warm embrace came after a full day of boos and heckles from fans, who came donned in face masks of Smith crying at a press conference and brandished yellow sandpaper.
Steve Smith was seen running to the stands to kiss his supportive wife Dani (pictured) after his stunning 144 score at day one of the first Ashes Test at Edgabaston, Birmingam in the UK on Thursday
The stunning blonde grinned from ear-to-ear as she congratulated her husband Smith
But if the heckles bothered Smith, he certainly didn’t show it, ignoring the boos and piling on the runs as he reach 50 and then 100.
Commentator Shane Warne had early expressed his concern that the taunts would worry a ‘sensitive’ Smith, more than they would teammates David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
‘I’ve just got a feeling knowing Steve Smith. He’s just a nice guy, he’s a little sensitive I reckon,’ Warne said.
‘He’ll have a bit of a smile and put on a brave face, but underneath it [the booing] might just get to him a little.’
His wife’s warm embrace came after a full day of boos and heckles from unforgiving British fans who came donned in face masks of Smith crying at his press conference after returning home from South Africa last year and brandished yellow sandpaper tape
Determined to earn back their respect however, Smith proved why he is known as one of the best players in Australian cricket
But Smith ignored the boos and delivered for Australia.
Talking to reporters after the game, Smith said of the harsh treatment he had received: ‘It doesn’t bother me to be perfectly honest. I know that I’ve got the support of the guys in the [dressing] room and that’s all that really matters. They [his team] went berserk on the balcony when I got to 100 and just looking up at them really sent shivers down my spine.’
He added that the Test had been a ‘long time coming’ and that he was ‘lost for words’.
Smith’s century on Thursday was his 24th in Tests and first since December 2017.
Smith was seen putting on a brave face throughout day one, despite the constant boos and heckles from the unforgiving crowd
![Talking of the treatment he received by British fans, Smith said: I know that I've got the support of the guys in the [dressing] room and that's all that really matters. They [his team] went berserk on the balcony when I got to 100 and just looking up at them really sent shivers down my spine.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/08/02/00/16789482-0-image-a-18_1564701073646.jpg)
Talking of the treatment he received by British fans, Smith said: I know that I’ve got the support of the guys in the [dressing] room and that’s all that really matters. They [his team] went berserk on the balcony when I got to 100 and just looking up at them really sent shivers down my spine.’
Smith’s supportive wife Dani was kept in good company on Friday as new WAG Emma McCarthy was also spotted watching the now iconic game on Thursday.
Emma, who is currently dating Nathan Lyon, cut a casual but stylish figure, wearing a black high neck top with a matching black blazer.
The real estate agent had her long blonde locks out and over her shoulders in loose tousled curls.
Emma – who hails from Perth, Australia – wore natural-looking makeup, including dewy foundation, bronzer and lashings of mascara.
The WAGS are out! Nathan Lyon’s glamorous girlfriend Emma McCarthy (pictured) joined Steve Smith’s wife Dani Willis in the sidelines at the Ashes in the UK on Thursday
Stylish: Dani (pictured) meanwhile, looked equally as chic in a plunging black and white wrap minidress, which she teamed with a Chanel handbag
Dani meanwhile, looked equally as chic in a plunging black and white wrap minidress, which she teamed with a Chanel handbag.
At one point, the blonde was seen playing around on her phone as she watched on from the sidelines.
She and Steve married in a stunning ceremony last September.
A day in the life of a WAG: At one point, the blonde was seen playing around on her phone as she watched on from the sidelines
Newlyweds! She and Steve (pictured) married in a stunning ceremony last September