Steve Smith has said that it "feels amazing" to retain the Ashes after Australia finally ended a stubborn rearguard effort from England on Sunday to win the fourth Test by 185 runs. England had initially set a huge second-innings target of 383 to win, but they were bowled out for 197 following some spirited lower-order defiance, putting Australia 2-1 up in the five-Test series ahead of next week's finale at the Oval. 

"It feels amazing to know the urn is coming home," former captain Smith told a foreign sports broadcaster.

Steve Smith's dream run at the Ashes 

Smith has scored an astonishing 671 runs at an average innings of 134.2, including three hundreds, despite missing England's one-wicket win in the third Test at Headingley with a concussion.

"I've been here a few times when things haven't gone our way," he added. "This was always one to tick off my bucket list. It's extremely satisfying," Smith has said.

"We thought we would get our eight chances. I thought (Craig) Overton was exceptional but fortunately, the boys got the job done." Smith went on to add.

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"I am incredibly proud of how I have performed and what I have helped the team achieve." Australian captain Tim Paine told a foreign media channel, as he was overcome with emotion. "The amount of work that's tried to go on in to retain the Ashes has been enormous and I'm really proud of this group and how we bounced back from Headingley," he said. "The atmosphere, I was just saying to the guys, at every ground has been unbelievable. The noise they make here and the passion they have for cricket makes this moment all the more special," he continued.

"We're thrilled. This is what we came here to do, to take the Ashes home. We'll have a good night tonight together and celebrate but we'll be back on deck next week. We want to win the Ashes 3-1."  Paine has said.

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Steve Smith once again

Steve Smith had continued from where he had left off in the first innings when he came into bat with Australia at 16/2 and then 24/3 in the second innings after England bowlers had made early inroads. Nonetheless, Steve Smith had other ideas as he held on to one end and played a counter-attacking knock. He scored a 92-ball 82 as he continues to have a dream run in this Ashes series. Steve Smith was caught by Ben Stokes off Jack Leach but his superb run helped Australia get to 186/6 after which they declared their innings.

England were set a target of 383 runs. Smith had scored a splendid 319-ball 211 in the first innings. The former Australian skipper was adjudged 'Man of the Match' for his brilliant knocks in both innings.

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