Steve Smith made a strong comeback at Lord’s, scoring his 32nd Test century. He played a phenomenal inning under pressure, shattering records and helping Australia take control of the Test. He scored 110 runs off 184 deliveries with 15 boundaries, taking advantage of the English bowlers’ mistakes. His outstanding performance helped Australia post 416 in the first innings. This reminds us that he is the best Test batter of this generation, miles ahead of his competitors.
Also Read: Ben Duckett Misses Well-Deserved Century during 2nd Test of Ashes
Steve Smith has the Best Average
Steve Smith’s average of 59.73 in 99 Tests is phenomenal. He is ahead of his competitors, Joe Root, Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson, in the longest format of the game. In 132 Tests, Root averages 50.58, Kohli averages 48.73 in 109, and Williamson averages 54.89 in 94 matches. Though they have good records, Smith is in a different league altogether. Kohli acknowledged this in a recent interview with ICC ahead of the World Test Championship Final.
Smith Performs Well in all conditions
Steve Smith has mastered all conditions, unlike some of his competitors who have failed in one or two countries. His average is 64.51 in Australia, 59.24 in England, and 50.31 in India. His average is less than 40 in the only country where he has played two Tests, which is Bangladesh. Steve Smith averages 64.51 in Australia, 59.24 in England, and 50.31 in India.
Smith’s average is less than 40 only in Bangladesh, where he has played two Tests. He has been remarkable in England, as evidenced by his performance in the 2019 Ashes series, and in India in 2017. Countries like Sri Lanka, South Africa, Pakistan, and New Zealand have also seen the best of him.
Steve Smith’s consistency is unmatched
Since becoming a regular member of the Test side back in 2013, Steve Smith has consistently churned out runs. In 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, his average was 81.86, 73.70, 71.93, and 76.76 respectively. In 2019, his average was over 70, and in 2021 and 2022, it was above 50.
The only two years in which his average went below his standards were 2018 and 2020, two years in which he played very few games owing to different reasons. This year too, Smith has an average of close to 50, which could get better given the form he’s currently in. He scored a century in the WTC Final against India and has now also scored one in the Ashes.
