Steve Smith's last 12 innings against England: 143, 141*, 40, 6, 239, 76, 102*, 83, 144, 142, 92, 101*.

Image source, Getty Images

Christian Brown: It shouldn’t be allowed for someone to be as good at cricket as Steve Smith is. Ridiculous.

But here is the moment Smith reached his ton with another flick into the leg side.

"We are witnessing greatness," said Michael Vaughan.

Can't argue with that.

This was the only hint of a chance Smith has offered England.

Archer has previous with stunning caught and bowled efforts. I remember he took a much more difficult one in the Big Bash.

He couldn't hold on today.

It would probably be easier to take Smith's brilliance if he was more elegant.

He hits these hundreds without hardly hitting a memorable shot.

I don't have one boundary of his innings from this morning to show you in fact.

This was the highlight...

Jack Skelton
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

A few boos from the party stand as Smith reached his century. “I get it but what’s the point now, it doesn’t stop him,” says one England fan nearby.

Every cloud...

Jed Court: Don’t worry, he’ll be in the 140s soon enough.

Thanks Amy.

I'd love to bound into this chair with masses of enthusiasm but we have seen Smith do this too many times. He is grinding everyone - me included - into submission.

Right, I'm off for a bit. Matthew Henry will guide you through Steve Smith's inevitable double ton.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

It doesn't sound like an incredible session for Australia but you feel England needed more wickets and needed Steve Smith out this morning.

With Smith's mindset and hunger, he will be eyeing up a double century. If he does Australia will get well beyond 350 and then it will be very, very difficult for England.

Stuart Broad has 3-47, while there's a wicket apiece for Craig Overton and Jack Leach.

England have bowled better than they did yesterday but I'll be honest, it's not been great.

And that, folks, is lunch.

Steve Smith is still there. Steve Smith will always be there. Death, taxes and a Smith ton.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

We are witnessing something very special with Smith. He got hit at Lord's and nearly got a hundred there. I dread to think how many hours England have spent trying to think how to get him out. It is not working. He is just too good.

Image source, AFP

A penny for Joe Root's thoughts as he watches Steve Smith make yet another, almost chanceless century.

Oh, shot! Tim Paine tonks Jack Leach through extra cover for a lovely four, beating two diving fielders along the way.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

It is Steve Smith's 11th hundred against England. Only two players have more in the Ashes - Don Bradman with 19 and Jack Hobbs with 12.

Steve Smith sways out of the way of a probing Craig Overton bouncer.

He's scored 479 runs in this series and he's only batted for four innings. The next highest run scorer is Ben Stokes, with 327. Astonishing.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

The ovation tells you everything. There were a few boos but people are realising we are witnessing greatness. He is an incredible player. He is not done yet.

Alison Mitchell
BBC Test Match Special

The unstoppable, eccentric run machine raises his bat.

100 for Smithpublished at 67.3 overs

67.3 overs

Like clockwork!

Just absolute brilliance from Steve Smith. His 160-ball century, his third of this series, and you wouldn't put it past him to double up. What a series he's having.