Australia's Steve Smith Turns on Old Side Kent With Century
In 2007, Steve Smith, a teenager, played a handful of matches for Kent's 2nd XI and spent the season with local club side Sevenoaks Vine, where he was viewed as a hugely promising leg-spinner.
Steven Smith gave another indication of just how far he has come in eight years with a century for Australia against Kent in the Ashes tour opener at Canterbury on Friday.
Australia were 477 for six at lunch on the second day of four, with Smith having made 111. (Anderson Urges Teams to Ditch 'Sledging')
Brad Haddin was 22 not out and Mitchell Johnson 24 not out. (Clarke Hits Back at Jason Gillespie's 'Dad's Army' Jibe)
Meanwhile 21-year-old paceman Matt Hunn, the only Kent bowler to enjoy success against the tourists, completed a distinguished maiden five-wicket haul in just his fourth first-class match on his way to figures of five for 99 in 27 overs. (Hussey Predicts a Tough Ashes Series)
In 2007, the teenage Smith played a handful of matches for Kent's 2nd XI and spent the season with local club side Sevenoaks Vine, where he was viewed as a hugely promising leg-spinner who could also bat.
Roll on to 2015 and Smith is now ranked as the world's leading Test batsman, with an average of over 56. (Australia Won't Cross Sledging Line During The Ashes)
Australia, who had been sent into bat, resumed on 348 for three after openers Mitchell Marsh (114) and Chris Rogers (84), vying for a place alongside the rested David Warner come the first Test against England in Cardiff on July 8, as well as captain Michael Clarke (56) had all spent time in the middle.
Smith was 71 not out and fellow all-rounder Shane Watson unbeaten on eight.
The only time Smith looked in any trouble was on 99 when he charged down the pitch to Australia-born seamer Mitchell Claydon and missed with an expansive drive.
However, he soon whipped Claydon off his pads and beyond the mid-wicket rope to complete a 151-ball hundred featuring 11 fours and a six.
That shot came amidst a run of three successive fours before the 26-year-old Smith, who could have represented England through his English-born mother, decided he had had enough batting and walked off.
Not for the first time, Watson failed to cash in as all around him scored runs, falling for 21 when well caught by Joe Denly at backward point off Hunn.
And the right-arm fast-medium bowler had a fifth wicket when he dismissed Mitchell Marsh (30) with a swinging delivery that uprooted the off-stump.