Is Steve Smith's transformation as a batsman the best you've ever seen?

[Moiza]

He went from barely being a batsman to the best in the world in a couple of years. Has there been a transformation in a batsman or a bowler of such magnitude before?

 

[msb314]

He went from barely being a batsman to the best in the world in a couple of years. Has there been a transformation in a batsman or a bowler of such magnitude before?

It is more to do with his role than just a "transformation".

Earlier on in his career - he was primarily used as a bits and pieces legspinning all-rounder coming in at no. 7 or 8 for Australia (although tbf - they did have Ponting, Clarke and Hussey in the middle order so not space for Smith at the time). Hence, he did not get to bat as often and was mainly used as a lower-order hitter which explains his high SR and low average.

He began to flourish in 2013 when he moved to the middle order as Ponting/Hussey retired.

Of course he put in the hard yards and really improved himself as a batsman but his change in role was a major contributing factor.

 

[Abdullah]

hands down yes.
then probably amla. he looked like a tailender against england in 2005-6

 

[Moiza]

It is more to do with his role than just a "transformation".

Earlier on in his career - he was primarily used as a bits and pieces legspinning all-rounder coming in at no. 7 or 8 for Australia (although tbf - they did have Ponting, Clarke and Hussey in the middle order so not space for Smith at the time). Hence, he did not get to bat as often and was mainly used as a lower-order hitter which explains his high SR and low average.

He began to flourish in 2013 when he moved to the middle order as Ponting/Hussey retired.

Of course he put in the hard yards and really improved himself as a batsman but his change in role was a major contributing factor.

He did get chances back then too but he just didn't have the skills which he somehow possesses now.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Comfortably

 

[Xoib]

even as a youngster Smith's shield record was top notch he just looked so ungainly while batting (still does) and his leggies had promise Aus though the best bet for him to be an international cricketer was to be a bowling all rounder they believed he was someone who can average 30 with both bat and ball and may allow them to play 4 quicks especially when they are at home their plan back fired as Smith could never fill in that role they had envisioned for him. As soon as they shifted Smith back to the role he was comfortable with a middle order bat he has flourished.

His batting style is still the same as he was when he made his debut he has not made any adjustments apart from mental since he started. Amla has been one guy who had to completely re design his technique in order to flourish at this level.

 

[Pollack]

Yes and some other transformations:
1).K.L.Rahul's transformation as an all format batsman

2)Devilliers transformation as a 360degree batsman.He was just decent for a substantial period of early career.

3)Amla's

 

[proud_pakistani]

Some Pakistani batsmen should learn from Smith. You put in the hard work and the rewards will come eventually. It's been a great transformation. At one time I thought Malik had a great transformation from being a spinner to a middle order batsman but Steven Smith from being a bits and pieces cricketer going on to becoming one of the top 3 batters in the world is inspirational.

 

[Madplayer]

Hafeez also became better with time. So did Ashwin. But none as much as smith.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Absolutely.

Shocking transformation.

Went from a decent bat to an outrageous one who averages 60 in tests with balanced records.

 

[Xoib]

Absolutely.

Shocking transformation.

Went from a decent bat to an outrageous one who averages 60 in tests with balanced records.

I think among the Fab 4 he will be the first to fall .There is no way he can continue to thrive the moment his reflexes and hand eye go down slightly its a bit like Sehwag there was no way he could continue to avergage 50+ in test cricket in test cricket with that footwork and duly when his hand eye declined he struggled I feel Smith will be the same.

 

[hefaith]

Dilshan

 

[SL_Fan]

The guy was first picked as a potential replacement for Warnie. Says it all I think

 

[Madplayer]

What about azhar ali the leggie or shoaib malik the next saqlain?

 

[Moiza]

I think among the Fab 4 he will be the first to fall .There is no way he can continue to thrive the moment his reflexes and hand eye go down slightly its a bit like Sehwag there was no way he could continue to avergage 50+ in test cricket in test cricket with that footwork and duly when his hand eye declined he struggled I feel Smith will be the same.

The current Steve Smith is way more than hand eye coordination. His looks ugly as hell playing the shots but the thing that turned his career around way his brilliant footwork that he somehow developed. Even when the ball is swinging he makes sure he gets his foot to the ball.

 

[todfod 11]

i think Sanath jayasuriyas transformation was bigger then smith.. he won sri lanka their first world cup.. A number 8 batsmen started to open and then rest is history. one of the best opener game has ever seen and the most fierce batsmen of his time. Smith has done well i m not taking anything away from him.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I think among the Fab 4 he will be the first to fall .There is no way he can continue to thrive the moment his reflexes and hand eye go down slightly its a bit like Sehwag there was no way he could continue to avergage 50+ in test cricket in test cricket with that footwork and duly when his hand eye declined he struggled I feel Smith will be the same.

Yeah....he depends on his hand eye coordination a lot. So when things go awry, he may not be able to arrest the slide.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Yeah never thought he'll be averaging this high

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

What about sarfaraz's transformation as a batsman?

 

[Haripotter]

Ashwins transformation as an all rounder is also one of he best. Who would have thought that a replacement spinner for sourab jakati in IPL for CSK will not only go on to represent India as a prime spinner but also develop as a decent test bat

 

[Hasan123]

An amazing transformation. His technique isn't textbook at all but he has found a way to score runs. Enjoy watching him bat and him walking across the stumps and hitting through midwicket.

 

[Kakar]

Not really. He was a prolific runscorer at domestic level. People ruled him out too early because of his unorthodox technique. Classic case of confusing unorthodox technique with bad technique.

 

[Xoib]

It is actually a poor technique he shuffles infront of his stumps and a lot of his off side strokes are played on the move he is also a very lucky batsman.Just because it works for him does not mean its a good technique.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Kallis had a better transformation.

He averaged a mere 30.87 in his first 22 matches with just 2 centuries.

A lot of batsmen even in weak batting units would not have survived such a mediocre start.

It is miraculous that he retired with a career average of over 55 in 166 matches.