FOR all the praise so rightly heaped on Australia's resurgent warhorses, Steve Smith's man of the match performance in a Test that reclaimed the Ashes was a defiant blow for the future.

The looming question over this Australian team once the popping of champagne corks subsides is how many of them will still be around for the return Ashes series in 18 months?

Smith's vital 111 on the opening day of the third Test in Perth after Australia's first innings wobbled once again was a pivotal moment in the match and could have been a pivotal moment in his career.News_Rich_Media: The Ashes can be a heated contest and it was on display late on Day 4 of the first test match as Australian captain Michael Clarke had some choice words for England's Jimmy Anderson.

While most of the team are in their 30s, with a quarter in their mid 30s, Smith is the youngest player in the side at 24 and one of only three 20 somethings with spinner Nathan Lyon, 26, and paceman Peter Siddle, 28.

Captain Michael Clarke was full of praise for Smith's second century in a 15-Test career, and first on Australian soil.

"He scored a beautiful hundred in England but everything was about the first innings of this Test and I'm really happy he received the man of the match award. He deserved it. He got us out of trouble," Clarke said.News_Rich_Media: Australia has regained the Ashes, wrapping up the series 3-0 with a decisive 150-run victory over England in Perth.

"I've known Smithy for a long time. I've watched him play for NSW, I've watched him train since he's come into the Australian team, he's had his ups and downs, like we all did at a young age.

"He's worked exceptionally hard on his game and when he walked into the change room I said 'I'm not surprised'. For the hard work he's been putting in he's got the reward.

"What better time, under pressure, Ashes series, no doubt man of the match in my eyes and deserves all the credit he gets." News_Rich_Media: After being out of the Test squad a year ago, both Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson came to Australia's rescue on Day One with a barrage of big hitting.

Smith reiterated Clarke's view that the pain of losing had driven the team.

"Having been part of two other Ashes series and going down to England we were certainly very hungry to get the urn back," Smith said.

"The way we started the series and the way the boys have gelled together and played as a unit, there's no better feeling.

"To be 3-0 up and having won that urn back it's an incredible feeling."