You earn respect in Cricket, when you do well in the longest format of the game, and the batter and bowler who do well in the Test Cricket earn numerous praise and accolades from Ex Cricketers all over the world.
Australian Test Batter Steven Smith, has played 117 Test Matches where he scored 10,350 runs with a batting average of 56.55.
He scored 36 century and 42 half centuries in Test Cricket, with his top score being 239 runs.
Post Don Bradman, who averages 99.96 in Test Cricket Steven Smith is next batter in line who averages around 60 in Test Cricket.
Here in this article we will reveal 5 Reasons why Steven Smith is all time Great Test Batter Ever to be shared in the below format:
5. Unmatched Consistency and Record Breaking Knocks:
A batting average that is among the highest in cricket history and exceptional consistency characterize Steven Smith’s Test career.
No hitter averaged higher than Smith during his first 100 Test matches, and he averaged an incredible 72.02 during his six-year peak (2014–2019), which was far higher than his peers.
He amassed 23 hundreds in 50 Tests during this time, and only Don Bradman maintained a higher average over the same period. Smith has continuously maintained a career average of 60 or above, which is uncommon in the contemporary era.
4. Tactical Genius in all Conditions:
Smith is well known for his versatility and has excelled both domestically and overseas.
He averaged 83.34 at home and 64.25 abroad between 2014 and 2019, amassing 12 hundreds in each location.
He stands out from many greats who have struggled outside of their own country because of his ability to dominate in difficult foreign environments, like England and India.
3. Iconic Performances in Few Test Matches:
Smith’s greatness has frequently been characterized by his performances in high-profile programs.
He collected 774 runs in just seven innings during his 2019 Ashes campaign, which is largely considered to be the best series batting performance in history.
He frequently kept Australia in contention by himself.He has the record for the most Test hundreds against India (11 in just 43 innings) and has also performed admirably against elite bowling attacks, such as India’s spinners and South Africa’s speed three.
2. Tactical Smartness and Unorthodox Batting Stance:
Smith was originally chosen as a leg-spinning all-rounder, but with constant practice and inventiveness, he transformed into a top-tier batter.
He has carefully honed his distinctive style, which includes a noticeable movement over the crease, to counter particular threats, particularly short-pitched bowling.
Because of his versatility, he has been able to outmaneuver weaknesses and control attacks that even the finest.
1. Awards and Recognition:
Smith’s achievements, which include multiple Allan Border Medals, ICC Men’s Test Player of the Decade (2011–2020), ICC Cricketer of the Year (2015), and ICC Test Player of the Year (2015, 2017), attest to his influence. After Bradman, he achieved the second-highest ICC Test batting rating ever, 947.
These accolades solidify his legacy, as do his leadership positions and crucial contributions to Australia’s victories in the World Cup and World Test Championship.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q-1: Talk to us about Steven Smith in Comparison to other Modern Day Great like Kohli, Williamson and Joe Root?
Steven Smith is notable for his performances both at home and away and for maintaining a high average. Smith’s six-year average of 72.02 (2014–2019) is unrivaled, and his away record is especially impressive, making him possibly the most reliable and versatile Test batter of his generation, even though Williamson, Root, and Kohli have all averaged above 50 at their highest points.
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Q-2: What makes Steven Smith 2019 Ashes Performances pretty special?
The best individual batting performance in a Test series is thought to have been Smith’s 2019 Ashes series. He helped Australia win the Ashes in England by scoring 774 runs in seven innings, frequently under extreme circumstances.
He outperformed every other player in history for a single series in terms of rating points, and he was so dominant that he failed in just one inning.
Q-3: How Does Steven Smith Transform from leg spinner to Prime Batter in International Cricket?
Smith was always considered a batting prospect even though he started his career as a leg-spinning all-rounder. Following early setbacks, he concentrated on honing his batting technique, particularly after 2013, creating a very unconventional yet successful approach.
He became Australia’s top batter and a contemporary icon thanks to his relentless work ethic, technical improvements, and mental toughness.
| Attribute | Smith’s Achievement/Record |
| Test Runs | 10,000+ |
| Test Average(Peak Years) | 72.02(2014-2019) |
| Test Centuries | 36 |
| Most Test 100svs India | 11th in 43 innings |
| ICC Test Batting Rating | 947(2nd Highest Ever) |
| Major Awards | ICC Test Cricketers of the Year, Test Player of the Decade |
| Notable Series | 2019 Ashes; 774 runs in 7 innings |
| Home/Away Centuries | 12 each(2014-2019) |
Why his comparison has been with Bradman?
1. Exceptional Batting Average and Consistency:
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Smith’s Test batting average is the highest of any Australian since Bradman, who finished with an unparalleled 99.94. Smith’s career average has consistently hovered around 60, a figure unmatched by any modern Australian batter with more than 30 innings, and second only to Bradman
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His away average is nearly identical to his overall average, demonstrating rare consistency across conditions
2. Domination in consistent series and Across Venues:
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Smith’s run-scoring sprees, particularly in Ashes series, have drawn direct parallels to Bradman’s era. For example, Smith’s 2019 Ashes performance (774 runs in seven innings) echoed Bradman’s 1930 dominance, where English bowlers were left searching for answers
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At Lord’s, the “Home of Cricket,” Smith recently surpassed Bradman’s aggregate as the highest run-scorer by a visiting batter, further cementing his status in English conditions
3. Bradman and Smith Impact on Opponents:
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Like Bradman, Smith has exasperated opposition bowlers with his unorthodox technique, patience, and ability to accumulate runs relentlessly. There’s a certain ruthlessness and inevitability to his batting that reminds many of Bradman’s clinical dismantling of attacks
4. Interesting Milestones and Records:
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Smith was the youngest Australian since Bradman to reach 10 Test centuries, and his first-innings average is second only to Bradman among those with 1,000+ runs.
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He has matched or surpassed several of Bradman’s feats in terms of runs, centuries, and match-winning performances, especially in high-pressure situations.
5. Peer and Expert Contribution from him:
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Former players and analysts often use the term “Bradman-esque” to describe Smith’s sustained excellence. While most agree that Bradman remains in a class of his own, Smith’s achievements have put him in the conversation as the best since Bradman and, for some, as a worthy modern-day comparison.
Comparison in Terms of Numbers:
While Smith’s numbers and impact invite comparison, experts caution that Bradman’s statistical supremacy is unique and perhaps unmatchable. However, Smith’s ability to dominate in all conditions, his mental fortitude, and his knack for rising to the occasion in the biggest series are reminiscent of Bradman’s legendary aura.
| Attributes | Bradman | Smith |
| Test Average | 99.94 | 60 |
| Test Centuries | 29(52 Tests) | 34+(100+ Tests) |
| Ashes Impact | Record 974 runs | 774 in 2019 |
| Youngest to 10100s | 23 years(Don) | 26 years(Smith) |
| Lord’s Runs(Visitor) | 551 | 591 |
Steven Smith unorthodox Style Ability to hit shots all across the park and play with absolute grit, determination and ability to perform well in distinct scenarios makes things invincible.
Steven Smith record when it comes to Test Cricket is second to none and still his consistency to score more runs, in every game makes him irreplaceable legend.
Steven Smith record in first innings is usually magical but when it comes to scoring runs in fourth innings his usually fails and the basic reason behind that debacle, where some of the insiders told he hardly sleeps during any test match due to which he is mostly asleep in last innings where he could do wonders unlike first innings.
Steven Smith with absolute unorthodox shots, tenacity to play against the likes of great fast bowlers and scoring runs at will, where he easily adapt the surface, and score when it mattered the most.
Steven Smith couldn’t help Australia to win WTC Final against South Africa where he scored 60 runs in 1st innings failed to do in 2nd innings however considering his longevity in the game and makes him one of all time great ever to grace Test cricket.
They say respect is earned if you do well in Test Cricket, and He has simply earned that respect.
Steven Smith is an absolute giant of the game, and deserve praise to maintain consistency in the longest format of the game.
Steven Smith couldn’t succeed in the shorter format considering his technique not supporting him but when it comes to Test Cricket with his unorthodox technique he can still score bulk of runs and playing winning Knocks for his side.
Smith have delivered as batter in those games, where many have failed to score runs his psychological game is also up to the mark where he deliver in back to back games.
