Today’s back pages: Steve Smith is having a ball with England’s bowlers
A round-up of the sport headlines from UK newspapers on 5 September

The Ashes 2019: England vs. Australia
- 4th Test, day one at Old Trafford
- Australia first innings: 170-3 (44 overs)
- England first innings: yet to bat
Rain may have hit the opening day of the fourth Ashes Test but the conditions did not stop Australia star Steve Smith from frustrating the England bowling attack.
Australia ended day one at Old Trafford with a score of 170-3 from 44 overs and Smith, who missed the third Test because of concussion, was unbeaten on 60.
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Smith has been the star of the Ashes series so far for Australia and there’s no doubt the batsman has his eye in again and will be seeking another big score.
He’s “seeing it like a beach ball” the majority of the papers report today. The Daily Telegraph says the world’s best batsman is defying England and an inflatable ball - which was blown across the blustery Manchester ground.
The fourth Ashes Test resumes today at Old Trafford at 11am.
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