"For First Time In My Career…": Steve Smith Breaks Silence On Post-Ashes Beer Controversy

The 2023 Ashes was probably one of the most entertaining cricketing battles in recent memory. After losing the first two Tests, England produced an incredible comeback to tie the series 2-2.

But what transpired after the series ended left many with a sour taste in their mouths. The England and Australian players were supposed to have beers at the Oval, but the idea had to be scrapped when the host players did not come out of their changing rooms at their scheduled hours.

The England team was chastised for their post-match antics, leading captain Ben Stokes to deliver an apology. Steve Smith, Australia's stalwart, has now broken his silence on the topic, explaining what truly happened that day.

"We did knock on the door a few times." "We were waiting for a while and Stokesy came out at one point and said 'two minutes' and about an hour passed," Smith told SEN 1170's The Run Home.

"We thought, 'We can't sit here any longer.'" Will we drink a beer or not'? The boys had had enough and decided it was time to leave.

"It was unfortunate because it was the first time in my career that we didn't have a drink with them after a series, which was a shame."

Stokes did admit that the England player became engrossed in parts of the work that went longer than intended.

He did, however, reveal a later plan to have beers with Australian players at a nightclub. Smith, on the other hand, was unable to attend.

"They caught up with a few of the boys in the nightclub later that night, I had gone home by that stage, but it was a shame not to have a beer and reflect on what was a pretty cool series," he explained.