Michael Hussey says Steve Smith’s knock on Day 1 of the Ashes kept Australia in the test match.
Smith was the one constant for the tourists, finishing 144 not out from 216 balls as Australia registered a first innings total of 244.
The performance and effort by Smith to lift the side was superb according to the man widely known as ‘Mr Cricket’.
“I think he’ll be unbelievably proud and so he should,” Hussey told Kane Cornes on SEN’s The Captain’s Run.
“You’ve got to remember what this guy has been through in the last 12 months. Just to get back and play such an important innings under enormous pressure."
The 339th man to wear the Baggy Green also credited Victorian Peter Siddle with helping Australia reach a competitive total.
"He (Smith) had a great ally in Peter Siddle, which was so important for Australia to get up to a score that means you're in the game,” he said.
"If we had have been bowled out for 120 then we're well behind. But now, I think with a few early wickets tomorrow, then we're well and truly in this match.”
Play continues at 8pm AEST tonight with England 0/10.