'He's like a gladiator' - Smith reaches century as Australia build lead On a sun-drenched day at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Australian captain Steve Smith etched his name further into Ashes folklore with a masterful century that helped his team gain control of the fifth and final Test against England. Resuming day three on 365-3, Smith strode to the crease with a steely determination, his eyes fixed on the prize of a 13th career Ashes hundred. Facing a deflated England attack, the 28-year-old played with a combination of caution and aggression, unleashing his full array of strokeplay to punish anything loose from the opposition bowlers. "He's like a gladiator out there," marveled former Australian captain Ricky Ponting from the commentary box. "The way he commands the game, the way he takes the fight to the opposition - it's just incredible to watch." Indeed, Smith's ability to dominate the world's best bowlers has become the stuff of legend. Since making his Test debut in 2010, the right-hander has amassed over 6,000 runs at a staggering average of 63.79, cementing his status as one of the all-time greats of the game. His latest Ashes masterclass was no exception. After England had fought back gamely on day two to remove the dangerous David Warner and Shaun Marsh, Smith arrived at the crease with Australia still holding a slender lead. What followed was a chanceless display of batting prowess that left the English fielders chasing shadows. Driving fluently through the off side and using his nimble footwork to negate the bounce and seam of the English pacers, Smith compiled his runs with an air of effortlessness that belied the intense concentration required. His century, brought up with a deft glance to fine leg, was greeted by a roar from the passionate SCG crowd, many of whom had come to witness the latest installment of Smith's love affair with the Ashes. "There's just something about him in Ashes cricket," observed former England captain Nasser Hussain. "He raises his game to another level, and it's incredibly difficult to stop him when he gets going like this." Indeed, Smith's Ashes record is nothing short of astonishing. In 21 career innings against England's oldest rivals, he has amassed 1,734 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 86.70, with seven centuries and seven half-centuries to his name. His ability to thrive in the cauldron of Ashes cricket has drawn comparisons to some of the game's all-time greats. Like Sir Donald Bradman before him, Smith possesses an uncanny knack for scoring runs when the pressure is at its most intense, his steely temperament and unwavering focus allowing him to rise above the noise and deliver time and time again. "He's just a freak, isn't he?" marveled former England spinner Graeme Swann. "The way he just blocks out all the external noise and focuses solely on his game - it's like he's in his own little bubble out there. You can throw everything you've got at him, but he just keeps coming back for more." With Smith's masterful 119 guiding Australia to 449-7 and a first-innings lead of 65 runs, the momentum has firmly swung in the hosts' favor heading into the final two days of the Test. England, who had fought valiantly to claw their way back into the match on day two, now face an uphill battle to avoid a fifth consecutive Ashes defeat on Australian soil. "This is exactly the kind of situation where Steve Smith thrives," observed former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy. "When the pressure is on and the team needs him to stand up, he just seems to find another gear. He's a born leader, and this innings is a testament to his incredible mental strength and skill as a batsman." As the sun sets on another day of enthralling Ashes cricket, the focus will undoubtedly shift to England's response. Can they find a way to dislodge the seemingly unstoppable Smith, or will the Australian captain continue to torment them with his relentless accumulation of runs? One thing is certain: regardless of the final outcome, Steve Smith's latest Ashes masterclass will be remembered as another chapter in the storied history of this iconic cricketing rivalry.