England bowlers chipped away at Australia on the third day’s first session of the first Ashes Test, taking three wickets and reducing them to 213/7.

But Australian skipper Steve Smith, with only Pat Cummins for company, continued his fight. A little while after lunch, he carved out a century that took 261 balls.

Here’s how he got there:

This is Smith’s fourth Test hundred of the year. Before this, he made three centuries during his tour to India.

Smith’s hundred was the slowest for Australia in the Ashes since David Boon’s century at Lord’s in 1993. This is also Smith’s slowest ton of his career.

He’s got to century No 21 quicker than the great Sachin Tendulkar, only slower than Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar.

No one, who’s played at least 53 Tests, averages better than the Australian skipper.

No one other than Bradman has scored more runs than Smith after his first 57 Tests.

From an all-rounder who can bowl a bit and field well, Smith, shuffling and springing in the crease, is well on his way to join the pantheon of the greatest batters in Test cricket.

His former teammate Mitchell Johnson was delighted with his efforts.

Equally impressed was Kevin Pietersen, who’s part of the TV commentary team.

This is what Smith’s predecessor, Michael Clarke, had to say:

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan, too, felt it was an unbelievable knock by Smith.