Steve Smith probably is the best test player in current times. The Ashes 2023 will begin in a few hours and English bowlers will be planning how to dismiss one of the all-time greats of the game. Smith at number 4 for Australia is a vital cog and his stay at the crease could well play a huge role in determining the result of the series. Here is a look at the Aussie’s batting stats and performance in Tests.
Steve Smith
Smith has cemented himself as the greatest test batter since his debut and his name will be brought up in the future when someone talks about the greatest test batter of all time. The Aussie great has scored 8,947 runs so far in his test career. His average of 60.04 is the third highest in Test history for players who have played a minimum of 30 matches. He is only Sir Donald Bradman (99.94) and English batter, Herbert Sutcliffe (60.73). Smith will look to put on a stellar performance in the Ashes which could get him well past Sutcliffe’s average. He has 31 centuries in 97 matches and 37 half-centuries in the red ball format.
Steve Smith in Ashes
Ashes is probably the biggest rivalry in test cricket. Smith has proven himself as the big match player as he has exceptional records in the Ashes too. The Australian vice-captain has scored 3,044 runs in the Ashes in 32 matches. His highest score of 239 came in the Ashes in the 2017-18 home series. Out of his 31 centuries, 11 have come against arch-rivals, England.
Steve Smith in England
England is considered to be one of the most dangerous countries to visit for the batters. What is considered to be one of the worst places for batters is one of Smith’s favourite places. Smith has scored 1627 runs in England against England. His average is 65.08 in the country and has scored 6 centuries. But his best came in England in 2019.
Steve Smith in 2019
Steve Smith returned to cricket in 2019 after a year-long suspension due to the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. He played in the World Cup in 2019 in England but every fan patiently waited to see in the Ashes. The background of this Ashes was much fiercer as Smith along with David Warner was booed everywhere they went in the country. In Ashes 2019, Smith scored 774 runs in four matches he played. His average was a whopping 110.57. In the first Test match at Edgbaston Smith scored centuries in both innings and announced his return to the longest format of the game in some style. In the second Test, he was batting at 80 when he was struck by a deadly bouncer by Jofra Archer. He had to leave the field but a determined Smith came to bat once again after concussion tests. He was dismissed for 92. After being ruled out of the third test match, Smith was ready once again. In the first innings of the fourth test match, he scored a double-century in Manchester. In the first innings of the fifth test match, he scored a half-century and ended a series which will always be remembered by cricket fans.
Will he be able to replicate his performances against England once again? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure the England team would be spending the most time thinking about how to get him out.
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