#OnTheUp: Steve Smith, Afghanistan, and contrasting triumphs
After the disappointment at Headingley, it was the magic of Steve Smith that made the Old Trafford victory that much more sweeter for Australia, who retained the Ashes in England after 18 long years.
This is now becoming the era of Steve Smith
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 7, 2019
If Steve Smith is dismissed for a duck in each of his next 30 innings his average would still be more than 50. #Ashes #Australia #GOAT
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) September 5, 2019
How good!!! Both @CricketAus teams bringing the Ashes home! Well done boys. Now to finish the series off with a bang! 💪🏽👍🏽 #Ashes
— Jessica Jonassen (@JJonassen21) September 8, 2019
Tastes like the urn returning to Australia! 🏆🇦🇺 Congrats to the Aussie cricket team on a Mitey performance to bring the Ashes home. 👏🏏 #TastesLikeAustralia #Vegemite #Ashes #Ashes19 pic.twitter.com/tbSWzPTdms
— Vegemite (@Vegemite) September 9, 2019
Here’s what it means. How good is this reaction?! #Ashes #Ashes19 pic.twitter.com/E7i6GTdVuC
— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) September 8, 2019
Even a group of Jack Leachs could not save the hosts ...
A large group of Jack Leach’s have turned up to Old Trafford...🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/72kdyNqJxp
— Out of Context Cricket (@OOCCricket_) September 4, 2019
But while the England men did not have much to cheer about, the girls' serenading really impressed singer Laura Wright!
YAAASSSSS! this is the best 🙌🙌...duet next time! 🙋🏽♀️🙋🏽♀️🙋🏽♀️🙋🏽♀️ pic.twitter.com/y0nnVD8o3B
— LauraWright (@thelaurawright) September 1, 2019
Even as Australia secured the urn in their 824th Test, Afghanistan registered a historic 224-run victory over Bangladesh in just their third Test. As sweet as victory was, there was sadness as well, as one of their most influential players retired from Test cricket.
What a win don’t have words to describe the feeling . Afghanistan Zindabad 🇦🇫🇦🇫🇦🇫🇦🇫🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/30J2JyPbWI
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) September 9, 2019
This is what it means to us as Nation, love u all #BlueTigers. @rashidkhan_19 u r a living super star in the cricket globe@MohammadNabi007 am sure u must be happy for such a wonderful ending of ur test career pic.twitter.com/rq6wBkNUe4
— Shafiq Stanikzai (@ShafiqStanikzai) September 9, 2019
Congratulations to @ACBofficials on an impressive win over a strong @BCBtigers . Special mention to @rashidkhan_19 leadership and performances and to @MohammadNabi007 in his last test for his country. Well done guys #BangvsAfg
— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) September 9, 2019
Test match victory against Bangladesh congratulation to the whole proud afghan nation was outstanding team effort and thank you legend and cool man @MohammadNabi007 for your all services u did for Afghanistan we will miss your skills and experience in test cricket 🏏 🇦🇫🇦🇫🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/5zjFt4kGpc
— Afsar Zazai (@AfsarZazai_78) September 9, 2019
Cant ask for more, a fitting end to my #test career, taking the oportunity would like to thank @ACBofficials for being a wonderful organization and its support throughout my career,team #Bluetigers,captain @rashidkhan_19 and not to forget the support and services of Asghar Afghan pic.twitter.com/RKV3toT1PZ
— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) September 9, 2019
Afghanistan weren't the only new kids on the block to taste success, with Thailand Women remarkably securing their place in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020, in what will be their maiden premier tournament appearance.
Welcome Home Team Thailand :) pic.twitter.com/MaH94JfXwZ
— Cricket Thailand (@ThailandCricket) September 9, 2019
Elsewhere in the world, in small villages, cricket continues to be a source of ... err, laughter. Never question a village cricketer's commitment towards the game!
Commitment 😂 pic.twitter.com/k7hOlW2RL6
— That’s So Village (@ThatsSoVillage) September 9, 2019
Village cricket 😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/tMzzlF57MJ
— Out of Context Cricket (@OOCCricket_) September 3, 2019
And lastly, a word of advice – when Jimmy Neesham is in a good mood, do not attempt to take a dig at him, it maywill backfire!
Yep, hell of a way to put someone in a good mood 👍 https://t.co/aCpEm7dm4T
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) September 9, 2019
Good to see grandpa finally figured out how to upload a photo 😂 https://t.co/Sxmb4WO3dA pic.twitter.com/xJOhWaAoOK
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) September 10, 2019
