[VIDEOS] Is Steven Smith the best batter you have ever seen?

[TamiL_GarvaM!]

I am watching cricket from around 1996. Haven't missed many matches over the years, especially test matches. I was a big fan of the great Australian team and was really hurt when I used to see Steven Smith in the Australian test team. Batting at 8, bowling some none dangerous leg breaks.

But what a long way this guy has come, hats off to him.

I was thinking is he the best batsman since I am watching cricket. Don't want to hear about Bradman in this thread because this will become a whole different debate. Comparing across different types of cricket.

From the time I am watching cricket the top 3 batsmen are probably Lara, Tendulkar and Ponting. I have personally always preferred batsman going after great bowlers, playing special knocks over consistent Batsmen. So my personal favorite 3 and those I consider the best from the last 3 generations are Viv, Lara and Kevin Pietersen (to a lesser extent).

But now, this guy, Steven Smith has taken modern day greatness to another level.
He seems to have nothing in his batting still he has everything in it: the Australian resiliance, the English grit, the west Indian flair, the Asian footwork against spinners.

Forget numbers, even if they are hard to forget in his case, but solely the fact to play that well in difficult conditions is unparalleled in recent times. To be there about every time your team needs you. Not only this series but many more. Especially that series in India where he scored 3 hundreds in very difficult conditions. The fact that Kohli under 10 proves how difficult it was. He has done it everywhere, against every one.

So, for me, if nothing disastrous happens to his batting in the coming years, I will rate him the best Batsmen of the last 30-40 years. Surely (even if I am sure of nothing with Steven Smith) at a moment in his career he will score lesser, average lesser. But even then what he has done is just out of this world.

We all have personal favorite players and it's hard for us to imagine that anybody can play better than them. But it's time to all acknowledge the fact that this guy, Steven Smith, is better than any other player we have seen.

One innings of his....the 100 he made against India in Poona test, the first of the 2016-17 played in india was enough for me to nominate IMHO-the best i have seen in my years of watching, that innings was on a snake pit disgrace of a pitch, the ball was turning square...he neutralized the spin with his fantastic footwork, he frustrated ashwin who is master on such pitches(and i personally hate those pitches)...his decision making was spot on, no one had a clue how to bowl then....he just continues on in that vein,..if not the top most certainly in the top 3 with sir Viv, Brian lara and him. He definately is an all pitch batsman...

 

[jnaveen1980]

Smith is where he is because of his ability to dominate a series which many top batsmen failed to do. Kohli is capable of dominating a series. Better than Sachin. But not reached the level of smith. In my view Dravid and Gavsskar were better than sachin in terms of dominating a single series. Pujara did in Australia. India won. Sachin astonishingly never made 500 in a series/. Great under achiever given his technique and talent

 

[andy0204]

Smith is where he is because of his ability to dominate a series which many top batsmen failed to do. Kohli is capable of dominating a series. Better than Sachin. But not reached the level of smith. In my view Dravid and Gavsskar were better than sachin in terms of dominating a single series. Pujara did in Australia. India won. Sachin astonishingly never made 500 in a series/. Great under achiever given his technique and talent

I think Wasim was also like Tendulkar in test,he also didn't dominated in tests like Waqar did.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I think Wasim was also like Tendulkar in test,he also didn't dominated in tests like Waqar did.

Same pinch. I was even about to compare sachin with wasim in under achieving/ Althought both find a spot in all time XI in most of their teams they underachieve given their talent.

 

[tyron_woodley]

One innings of his....the 100 he made against India in Poona test, the first of the 2016-17 played in india was enough for me to nominate IMHO-the best i have seen in my years of watching, that innings was on a snake pit disgrace of a pitch, the ball was turning square...he neutralized the spin with his fantastic footwork, he frustrated ashwin who is master on such pitches(and i personally hate those pitches)...his decision making was spot on, no one had a clue how to bowl then....he just continues on in that vein,..if not the top most certainly in the top 3 with sir Viv, Brian lara and him. He definately is an all pitch batsman...

and yet australia got smashed in all other 3 tests in that series. The one drawn game should have easily been a loss as well.
I agree smith invidually played brilliant but he virtually had no support. Has kohli played an innings like smith vs england? I don't think so. Yes he has scored several centuries but he never performed in the second innings iirc.

 

[tyron_woodley]

I think Wasim was also like Tendulkar in test,he also didn't dominated in tests like Waqar did.

I totally agree. wasim never performed vs good players in tests. he only removed failed enders.

waqar was the man and at times even he struggled especially after the injuries he suffered.

 

[Titan24]

Smith is the best bat of his era but he just doesnt have that x factor of SRT at his peak.. SRT is the greatest for me..

Younus or Miandad might be greatest for Pakistanis, Kallis or Greame Pollock fro SA fans while Sanga (Higher average than Tendulkar) might be greatest for Srl fans. So obviously nationalistic biased will be there however, on pure statistical point of view which doesnt include any biases, Smith is greatest after Don Bradman till now in his career.

X factor, technique etc is all subjective which cant be measured and which everybody will find more in his national player because of unintentional nationalistic biased but stats are pretty objective and they dont lie.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Younus or Miandad might be greatest for Pakistanis, Kallis or Greame Pollock fro SA fans while Sanga (Higher average than Tendulkar) might be greatest for Srl fans. So obviously nationalistic biased will be there however, on pure statistical point of view which doesnt include any biases, Smith is greatest after Don Bradman till now in his career.

X factor, technique etc is all subjective which cant be measured and which everybody will find more in his national player because of unintentional nationalistic biased but stats are pretty objective and they dont lie.

Graeme smith is the greatest 4th innings specialist in cricket history.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Smith is where he is because of his ability to dominate a series which many top batsmen failed to do. Kohli is capable of dominating a series. Better than Sachin. But not reached the level of smith. In my view Dravid and Gavsskar were better than sachin in terms of dominating a single series. Pujara did in Australia. India won. Sachin astonishingly never made 500 in a series/. Great under achiever given his technique and talent

Smith scored 82 at 90 SR after his team lost 4 wickets for 44 runs. He is probably the most clutch batsman post 1970.

Not just tests, he averages 100+ in World Cup KO matches. 3 fifties and a century in 4 innings

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...fault;template=results;trophy=12;type=batting

 

[szundercover]

Even the stats seems to favour him but stats aside for me he is the greatest ever test batsman ever.Heck I will say he is even better than bradman!

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Even the stats seems to favour him but stats aside for me he is the greatest ever test batsman ever.Heck I will say he is even better than bradman!

Bradman played in an era of amateurs against 1 team, he can't be compared to Smith. Cricket before 1945 was an entirely different sport.

 

[andy0204]

Same pinch. I was even about to compare sachin with wasim in under achieving/ Althought both find a spot in all time XI in most of their teams they underachieve given their talent.

Players like mark Waugh,Carl Hooper could have achieved more considering the talent they have.
But wasim and tendulkar survived due to their consistency and longetivity.

 

[szundercover]

Bradman played in an era of amateurs against 1 team, he can't be compared to Smith. Cricket before 1945 was an entirely different sport.

True cricket was only played between england and Australia.Its an very different sport now with more cricketing nations and hence different bowlers.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

True cricket was only played between england and Australia.Its an very different sport now with more cricketing nations and hence different bowlers.

And more conditions, we have swinging conditions in UK, fast and bouncy pitches in Australia, slow and low pitches in Sri Lanka, and rank turners in India. Much more variety in pitches as well as bowlers.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Smith's 60% of the runs have come against India and England. Both decent test teams.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Smith's 60% of the runs have come against India and England. Both decent test teams.

He also averages 60+ in both those countries.

 

[Saj]

They say the best make batting look simple - that's exactly what Smith does, he just knows his game, his strengths and is so mentally strong.

 

[MenInG]

Steve Smith has set his sights on finding his best Twenty20 form for Australia as he prepares to play his first international in the format in three-and-a-half years.

Smith will turn out for the Aussies in upcoming Gillette T20 International series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan beginning Sunday at the Adelaide Oval, as Australia cast an eye to next year's home World Cup.

It will mark the former captain's first T20 for Australia since their 2016 World Cup exit in India.

The best batsman in the world in the longest format, Smith averages 21.55 for Australia in T20 cricket and has passed 50 just twice in his 25 innings.

But he has had ample T20 experience since his last game for Australia – including a full year on the global circuit during his ban – that he expects to work in his favour.

"I don't change a lot technically, more just the tempo of my game and my swing (for T20 cricket)," Smith said.

"And just playing the situation that needs to be played.

"I haven't played a lot of T20 cricket for Australia in the past few years, being rested and all that kind of things.

"But there is so much T20 cricket with the IPL and different tournaments and stuff. I know the game pretty well I'd like to think.

"Hopefully I can get the tempo of the game straight away and have a good few weeks with the Australian team."

The former Australia captain will play a full calendar of short-form cricket between now and next October's World Cup, including in the IPL and England's new 'The Hundred' competition.

Smith began his white-ball practice in the nets on Monday as NSW wrapped up their Shield win over Tasmania, after hitting a century in the first innings.

That ton came after a rare double failure in the opening Shield round against Queensland, after his rampant Ashes series.

"I felt pretty good (against Tasmania)," Smith said.

"Last week I found a little difficult playing on a wicket that had a little more bounce after playing IPL in India and then on wickets (in England) that don't quite bounce as much."

"The Gabba felt like I was thrown into the deep end a bit, going from slow to a nice bouncy track.

"Then to come back here and play on another slow one unfortunately.

"There is plenty of time so I will find the rhythm I need for the bouncier tracks and see how I go."

Gillette T20 Internationals v Sri Lanka

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Sri Lanka squad: Lasith Malinga (c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Oshada Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha.

First T20: October 27, Adelaide Oval, 2pm (Fox & Kayo)

Second T20: October 30, Gabba, 6.10pm (Fox & Kayo)

Third T20: November 1, MCG, 7.10pm (Fox & Kayo)

Gillette T20 Internationals v Pakistan

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir.

First T20: November 3, SCG, 2.30pm (Fox & Kayo)

Second T20: November 5, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm (Fox & Kayo)

Third T20: November 8, Perth Stadium, 4.30pm (Fox & Kayo)

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/steve-smith-australia-t20-sri-lanka-pakistan-world-cup/2019-10-21

 

[Boiz Played Well]

Allan Border has compared Steve Smith to Donald Bradman. But he’s doing things even the Don couldn’t

Steve Smith’s unrivalled consistency means he can only be compared with Don Bradman for sheer brilliance, according to former Australia captain Allan Border.

Smith will play his first Test on home soil in 22 months on Thursday against Pakistan - returning as the undisputed best batsman in the world.

Off the back of one of the most dominant Ashes series in memory, Smith maintains the second highest Test average behind Bradman with 64.56.

Upcoming Matches

Other records also lie ahead this summer.

He needs 17 runs in his next seven innings to be the fastest player to reach 7,000 Test runs.

According to Border, it’s the right-hander’s consistency and ability to avoid successive failures that sets him apart.

“Most people have that patch where everything goes wrong and they go through a trot,” Border told AAP.

“I don’t know if it happened to Bradman, but everyone else has had one.

“They always had a few Tests or a series where it just didn’t work for them or you got the better of them.

“But Steven has just been incredible.

“Not just in the Ashes but his whole career.

“I’ve not quite (seen anyone else do it).”

The numbers stack up for Smith.

He has averaged less than 40 in a series just twice since his breakthrough century for Australia at the end of the 2013 Ashes.

He is still to go more than two Tests without scoring a half century for Australia, dating back to his debut as a legspinner against Pakistan in 2010.

No other batsman in the game’s history has played 20 or more Tests and achieved such a feat - even Bradman went three Tests without a 50 in the 1934 Ashes.

“Whether it happens to him or if he’s just got that work ethic that will keep him going for 60-runs-an-innings average I don’t know. It’s incredible,” Border said.

“In straight out numbers, yes (he’s the best since Bradman).”

Remarkably, Border still attributes Smith’s brilliance to his technique. The 30-year-old is renowned for having one of the strangest techniques in world cricket, with his fidgeting quirks and odd positioning.

But Border insists that, if you were to snapshot the point Smith makes contact with the ball, his technique is near perfect.

“From what I understand, Bradman’s technique wasn’t one you would coach a kid either,” Border said.

“And Smith is exactly the same.

“His balance when he hits the ball is really good and his hand-eye coordination is just extraordinary.

“He knows what to leave and play at.

“So many batsmen you see fall over when the ball does something or nips back at you.

“You never see him do that.

“He’s just found this way of doing it.

“Yes there are moving parts but when he’s hitting the ball he’s in a really good position.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...t/news-story/66440f9048b6faf97cd002f3f7e169da

 

[Chrish]

I will be surprised if he doesn’t suppress Sachin and Viv in test format at this point tbh.,

 

[MenInG]

Steve Smith has privately apologised to his Australian teammates for his actions playing for NSW that saw him fined for dissent.
Smith was fined a quarter of his Sheffield Shield match fee for a poor reaction following his dismissal against Western Australia after making a century last Tuesday.

Smith was slow to leave the field and shook his head in disbelief after he was ruled to have edged a Marcus Stoinis delivery to keeper Josh Inglis and continued to show his disapproval on the way to the dressing rooms.

Ahead of the first Test against Pakistan, Smith felt the need to apologise for this behaviour.

“Sometimes your emotions can get the better of you out on the field,’’ Smith told reporters.

“We’re playing a game where everyone is trying to do their best and sometimes that happens. I came in and apologised to the group yesterday for getting a code of conduct.

“I don’t think there was a great deal in it but I’ve copped it and I have to look at when I get out and the way I sort of conduct myself.

“I know lots of kids watch me play and watch all of us play and the way we conduct ourselves when we get out as well as when we’re batting.

“So we have to be very mindful of that and sometimes just bite the bullet and just conduct ourselves in, I guess, a better manner at times.’’

Smith conceded Australian Test players need to uphold the highest standards of behaviour as they are role models for younger players.

“We’re Australian players regardless of where we’re playing and what we’re doing,” Smith explained.

“We sign up to values and in our contracts we’ve got a code of conduct there we have to play by. I got pinged and so be it. I felt I should apologise for that.”

Smith admitted that sometimes frustrations get the better of players, but believes any resentment needs to be kept away from public view.

“When you get behind closed doors, go for your life, do what you need to do to let your frustrations out,” Smith said.

“Within reason – you probably don’t want to punch anything. Mitch Marsh can probably attest to that.’’

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...t/news-story/2dbce18b4ed22fa25ee711066e2a8080

 

[Mean&Green]

Smith's 60% of the runs have come against India and England. Both decent test teams.

Lmao what do you mean “decent” test teams they are the best test teams

 

[Captain caveman]

No, not even close. He is a poor mans steve waugh.
King viv, lara, ponting, steve waugh would be my top picks.

 

[topspin]

All I'll say is don't let the old era hype brigade tell you he's inferior to Don Bradman.

 

[Finisher]

Brain lara

 

[Bhaijaan]

He's the best of his era by far. He is like Steve Waugh. Not very attractive but gangs in there and gets the job done.

Tendulkar, Lara, Kohli had more class and looked richer. Tendulkar could give a beating to the top bowlers. Lara also to an extent.

 

[King_Kohli]

Yes in test format

 

[Raja111]

Tendulkar and lara

 

[Ab Fan]

Definitely the greatest test bat I have seen. Can't say overall though.

I rate Steven Smith better than Tendulkar and Lara in test cricket, atleast for now, better than former because he has taken the game away from opposition and dominated the series the way former never did and better than latter as unlike him, he didn't went over his personal milestones and scored some meaningless runs like the latter did over his test career.

Ponting was obviously a level below trio as test batter. Averaging 26 in a major cricket playing country over a course of 4-5 series is quite disastrous IMO, one of them he averaged a pathetic less than 5 average.

 

[Hawkeye]

No.

 

[andy0204]

Definitely the greatest test bat I have seen. Can't say overall though.

I rate Steven Smith better than Tendulkar and Lara in test cricket, atleast for now, better than former because he has taken the game away from opposition and dominated the series the way former never did and better than latter as unlike him, he didn't went over his personal milestones and scored some meaningless runs like the latter did over his test career.

Ponting was obviously a level below trio as test batter. Averaging 26 in a major cricket playing country over a course of 4-5 series is quite disastrous IMO, one of them he averaged a pathetic less than 5 average.

Ponting averaged 26 in India that's correct but in his last 2 series he averaged 45 in india.If he didn't scored in his last 2 series he might have averaged 12.
He missed the series in 2004 and that was in his prime.
No one rates him as better batsman than Tendulkar and Lara but he's better than the likes of Kallis and Dravid.

 

[Ab Fan]

Ponting averaged 26 in India that's correct but in his last 2 series he averaged 45 in india.If he didn't scored in his last 2 series he might have averaged 12.
He missed the series in 2004 and that was in his prime.
No one rates him as better batsman than Tendulkar and Lara but he's better than the likes of Kallis and Dravid.

He played a test in 2004 series and failed there. Basically, my point is that averaging a meagre 3 in a particular three tests series which was hailed as final frontier by the Australians is not a good reading for a batsmen of Ponting's stature.

Remember, how much Kohli got criticized for averaging 13 in England in his first tour. He would have continued to be criticized if he ended with an average under 30 in England after 3-4 tours.

 

[MP2011]

Definitely the greatest test bat I have seen. Can't say overall though.

I rate Steven Smith better than Tendulkar and Lara in test cricket, atleast for now, better than former because he has taken the game away from opposition and dominated the series the way former never did and better than latter as unlike him, he didn't went over his personal milestones and scored some meaningless runs like the latter did over his test career.

lol, looks like you have started seeing test cricket when Smith made his test debut. Kudos! Better late than never!

 

[MP2011]

With his highly unorthodox technique, do you think Smith would've survived against the likes of Murali, Donald, The Ws, Saqlain, WI pace quartet, etc, I've whole lot of doubts!

 

[Xoib]

With his highly unorthodox technique, do you think Smith would've survived against the likes of Murali, Donald, The Ws, Saqlain, WI pace quartet, etc, I've whole lot of doubts!

Yes I have no doubt post 1970 a great player from one era would translate success in another era.

 

[andy0204]

He played a test in 2004 series and failed there. Basically, my point is that averaging a meagre 3 in a particular three tests series which was hailed as final frontier by the Australians is not a good reading for a batsmen of Ponting's stature.

Remember, how much Kohli got criticized for averaging 13 in England in his first tour. He would have continued to be criticized if he ended with an average under 30 in England after 3-4 tours.

Everyone gets critcized so it's not a big deal.

 

[BalluBalleBaaz]

I saw Tendulkar bat at MCG in 99, he was insane to watch live with all his strokes. Steve Smith is more of a counter attacker, ofcourse nothing wrong with it at all infact it is still entertaining!

Also enjoyed watching Punter live along with Virat in Hobart.

 

[Captain caveman]

Steve smith is a lame duck if theres any lateral movement. Kohlis the same and so is warner. Root can play all conditions but throws his wicket away after scoring a half century(he has a lack of keeping focused).
By far the most technically best test batsman of this era is kane williamson.
Note, i said technically, i am not bothered by stats, i judge by watching!

 

[Bhaijaan]

I saw Tendulkar bat at MCG in 99, he was insane to watch live with all his strokes. Steve Smith is more of a counter attacker, ofcourse nothing wrong with it at all infact it is still entertaining!

Also enjoyed watching Punter live along with Virat in Hobart.

Whoever has watched live cricket knows Tendulkar was a different class to Kohli/Smith.

 

[Ab Fan]

lol, looks like you have started seeing test cricket when Smith made his test debut. Kudos! Better late than never!

What was so special about others which Smith doesn't have as far as test cricket is concerned? The bloke averages 65 with around 7000 test runs to his name. That's not a joke. Give some points or reasons to base your conclusion first.

Smith is not going to average 90 to be rated better than Tendulkar/Lara.

 

[Ab Fan]

Everyone gets critcized so it's not a big deal.

If Kohli would have continued to get embarrassed in England, would people have rated him as highly as he is rated in test cricket?

I don't remember a legendary batsmen averaging a meagre 3 in a major test series over a course of 5 tests.

 

[therealAB]

Steve smith is a lame duck if theres any lateral movement. Kohlis the same and so is warner. Root can play all conditions but throws his wicket away after scoring a half century(he has a lack of keeping focused)

Smith has just had the most dominant series in England since Viv. Kohli also has had an incredible series in England. Root has not scored a single century in Australia from 9 tests

Smith combines the clutchness of Waugh and the statistical dominance of a prime Ponting, while performing in all conditions. No batsmen since Bradman can be said to be significantly better, and if he continues his current form for another 60 tests he will be the front runner for the greatest since Bradman

 

[chacha kashmiri]

I rate Kane williamson much higher
Steven Smith will be even harder to get out in Brisbane I only really rate our chances on dusty pitches as out of our bowlers only Yasir shah would have the guile to get Steven Smith out

 

[therealAB]

I rate Kane williamson much higher

What has Williamson in test cricket that makes him better than Smith?

 

[Sidilicious]

What has Williamson in test cricket that makes him better than Smith?

Personally, what differentiates Smith and Kohli in test cricket is the clutch factor. Kohli has proven that he can bat against the likes of Anderson in England, so it’s not like he can’t take on swing. But Kohli hasn’t been able to pass the clutch test in the longest format yet. Had he won India even 1 or 2 of the following tests, batting in the 2nd innings, he would have been equally clutch - 1st test against SA, 2nd test against Sa (both in SA), 1st test against England, 4th test against England (both in England) last year.

 

[therealAB]

Personally, what differentiates Smith and Kohli in test cricket is the clutch factor. Kohli has proven that he can bat against the likes of Anderson in England, so it’s not like he can’t take on swing. But Kohli hasn’t been able to pass the clutch test in the longest format yet. Had he won India even 1 or 2 of the following tests, batting in the 2nd innings, he would have been equally clutch - 1st test against SA, 2nd test against Sa (both in SA), 1st test against England, 4th test against England (both in England) last year.

Completely agree. Williamson seems to be an inferior batsman to Kohli in many ways but he seems to have 'it', the ability to really step up when needed. A good example was the world cup semi, where he got NZ to a competitive total. Kohli has not shown this ability as of yet but he can definitely improve - look at how much better he has got over the past few years.

Smith is obviously even more clutch while being extremely prolific

 

[Kroll]

Might not even see him the way the Oz top order are going about their business.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

What has Williamson in test cricket that makes him better than Smith?

For me he just looks more calm and cooler on the crease like an ice man
Steven Smith just looks like he’s come straight from a model shoot!

 

[MenInG]

Steve Smith hosed down his lunchtime confrontation with umpire Nigel Llong and said he would back the dead-ball rulings that cost Australia two runs on Thursday.

The Herald Sun understands that match referee Richie Richardson won’t slap Smith with a second code of conduct breach in as many months for the exchange, while Shane Warne declared that Llong needed a fresh copy of the rule book.

Smith wore two Neil Wagner short balls to the body in the final over of the first session on Boxing Day.

As each ball trickled behind the stumps, Smith took off for a leg bye to get off strike -- only to be ordered back by Llong.

The rule book states: “If a ball delivered by the bowler strikes the person of the striker, runs shall be scored only if the umpire is satisfied that the striker has either attempted to play the ball with the bat or tried to avoid being hit by the ball”.

While Smith did not attempt to play a cricket shot, he argued that he was taking action to evade the balls.

“I was just asking the question,” Smith said.

“I don’t think I’m as mad as (Matthew) Wadey is … I was trying to get out of the way of them.

“It’s his interpretation and I’ve got to back that. I’ll just keep playing, I don’t want to get stuck into anything.

“His interpretation and fair enough, move on.”

Smith – who plays with his heart on his sleeve – argued with Llong as they walked off the MCG for the lunch break.

The brilliant batsman marched over to Llong at the end of Wagner’s over, demanding to know why the deliveries were deemed dead balls.

Smith then appeared to walk away from the conversation in disgust, while Llong was still speaking to him.

Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket that Smith was bracing for impact – and not trying to avoid the balls.

Smith was fined 25 per cent of his match fee for showing dissent after he was dubiously given out caught behind in a Sheffield Shield match in November.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...r/news-story/031155e738f34a45ae56d44b75f9abd7

 

[Nadeem98]

Second best after Viv.

 

[Mahee]

He is better than kohli

 

[jnaveen1980]

Best accumulator who makes his form count. I won't use the word "seen" lol He is totally unwatchable probably the ugliest Australian stroke player i have seen.

 

[Chrish]

Smith has more test hundreds than Viv in 50 fewer innings.

 

[therealAB]

For me he just looks more calm and cooler on the crease like an ice man
Steven Smith just looks like he’s come straight from a model shoot!

Does this result in Williamson bring more effective than Smith, otherwise aesthetics are irrelevant

 

[Nadeem98]

Smith has more test hundreds than Viv in 50 fewer innings.

Tendulkar had 6036 runs at 55 with 21 centuries whereas Smith has 7157 at 63 with 26 centuries after his current 129 innings. What are we saying here?

 

[Chrish]

Tendulkar had 6036 runs at 55 with 21 centuries whereas Smith has 7157 at 63 with 26 centuries after his current 129 innings. What are we saying here?

Smith has had better peak than any other player bar Bradman.

 

[MenInG]

Steve Smith’s two-year leadership ban ended quietly Sunday, leaving him eligible again to captain Australia at a time of uncertainty over when international cricket will resume.

Smith was stripped of the captaincy and banned from leading Australia for two years over his involvement in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. His sentence ended Sunday and he can again captain Australia if called upon.

Australian players were due this week to conclude a series of matches in New Zealand and, for some, to join the Indian Premier League. But it wasn’t clear as of Sunday if the IPL will take place this year and when international matches will resume. Australia’s scheduled mid-year tours to England and Bangladesh are in doubt.

Smith told Channel Nine television’s Sports Sunday he is doing his best to stay mentally and physically fit, training in his home gym, going on 10 kilometer (6 mile) runs and practising the guitar.

“It’s obviously not looking likely (the IPL will go ahead) at the moment,” Smith said. “I think there might be some meetings over the next few days to discuss what the go is with it all.

“I’m just trying to stay physically and mentally fit and fresh and, if it goes ahead at some point, then great. And if not, there’s plenty going on in the world at the moment. So just play it day by day.”

It seems unlikely Smith will return to the captaincy when cricket resumes. Tim Paine is firmly established as Australia’s Test captain and at 35 is not immediately considering retirement. Aaron Finch has captained Australia successfully in white-ball cricket.

The conclusion of Smith’s ban ends the period of upheaval in Australian cricket that followed the ball tampering incident in the second test at Cape Town in 2018 when Cameron Bancroft, with the knowledge of Smith and his vice-captain David Warner, used sandpaper to change the condition of the ball.

Smith and Warner received one-year bans from international and most domestic cricket and Bancroft was banned for nine months. The scandal also resulted in the resignation of coach Darren Lehmann and the departure of Cricket Australia’s chief executive, James Sutherland.

Warner remains under a career-long leadership ban.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...ring-scandal-david-warner/article31197121.ece

 

[tyron_woodley]

GOAT unless kohli Can defeat him this year.

 

[Ab Fan]

As a test batter, I rate him higher than Ponting.

Smith scores tons of runs, across all conditions and scores very very crucial runs.

 

[shaz619]

Brian Lara is the best I have ever seen alongside Younis Khan, KP and Smith certainly is in my list.

 

[shaz619]

Honourable mention for Graeme Smith, best opener I have ever seem and among the best of his gen as well

 

[Nasty Naz]

He will probably go down as the best Test batsmen ever. His average is 62.84 which is absolutely insane.

He's also scored runs everywhere, including in Asia. The place he has struggled most is Bangladesh but he has only played a couple of matches there and I think that makes his record all the more impressive.

 

[The Viper]

Would love to win a Test series in India: Smith

Australian batsman Steve Smith said that winning a Test series in India is something that he hopes he can do in his career. Australia have won only four Test series in India and their last win came in 2005, five years before Smith made his debut.

"I'd love to win a Test series in India," said Smith in an interaction with Rajasthan Royals spin bowling consultant Ish Sodhi in the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise's Facebook page.

"As an Australian cricketer, the Ashes and the World Cup is big but India are the No.1 team in the world. It's a very difficult place to play Test cricket, so would love to win a series there," he said.

Smith had captained Australia to a massive 333-run win in the first Test against India in Pune during the 2017 series. However, India fought back to win two of the next three Tests and won the series. I

Indian spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin were particularly devastating in the series, the pair Taking 25 and 21 wickets respectively. Smith explained what made Jadeja so difficult to play in the subcontinent.

He said that the best spinners are always consistent with their length and know how to mask their variations. "If you can hit the good length consistently, especially if it is a wicket that is offering spin, then you are in," he said.

"Someone like Jadeja in the subcontinent -- why he is so good is that he just hits that good length. One ball skids out, one spins but it just looks the same out of the hand."

'Was one of the 12 or 13 spinners tried after Warne'
Steve Smith said that he has always been more of a batsman than a bowler. Smith had made his initial foray into international cricket as a leg-spinner and said that he was just one of many players that Australia tried out to fill the spot left vacant by the legendary Shane Warne.

"I was probably always more of a batsman than a bowler," said Smith. "I got picked in certain teams as more of a bowler which was different. Obviously played my first two Test matches as a specialist spinner which was strange in a way."

Smith came on at number eight on his Test debut against Pakistan in 2010 at Lord's, replacing current Australian Test captain Tim Paine at the crease who was also making his debut. He lasted just seven deliveries and scored a solitary run before being dismissed by Danish Kaneria. He didn't bowl in the first Pakistan innings but took three wickets in the second.

"They were looking for a spinner after the Shane Warne era and tried plenty of options in that time. Now we have got Nathan Lyon who is doing a terrific job but I was one of the 12 or 13 spinners that they tried. I got dropped after that and for me I felt I can find a way back into the team through my batting. So at that point I let my bowling slip away a bit," said Smith.

The 30-year-old said that he started spending more time in the nets on is batting after getting dropped instead of spending equal time on both. "Before that I was mixing and matching between batting and bowling and working on both in a session in the nets. Then it got to a point where, if a session is of three hours in the nets, I'd be doing probably two and half hours of batting," said Smith.

"Obviously I had to find a method that worked for me as well, which takes time. I was still at stage playing in the middle-order for New South Wales. It takes time to build the confidence to keep doing it. Eventually I got back into the team by scoring runs for New South Wales and sort of never looked back since then."

Smith has since gone on to be recognised as the best batsman in the world in the longest form of the game. He boasts a Test average of 62.84 in 73 Tests and has scored 26 centuries.

After spending a year away from the game due to a ban that was imposed because of his role in the 2018 ball tampering scandal, Smith announced his return to the Test arena by smashing 774 runs in the 2019 Ashes series.

Smith also said that he would love to have the IPL this year even if not right away.

"Plenty going on in the world at present, but hopefully we can get an IPL at some stage. The two seasons that I captained the Royals were both half seasons, Shane Watson gave me the captaincy in 2015 and then last year out of the blue I took over at the back end of the season. Looking at having a crack at it full time and the Royals have a pretty good squad," he said.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/would-love-to-win-a-test-series-in-india-smith

 

[Bhaijaan]

Steve Smith has comfortably been the best test batsman of this generation but it is also true that his legacy is built on his 60+ test average.

Tendulkar, Lara, Richards left a legacy that is not defined by their batting average. They conquered great bowlers and played iconic test knocks all while exhibiting batting class of the highest order highest order.

Smith is just a more efficient run scorer than Kallis, Sangakkara, Dravid etc. He's not been able to be break that class barrier.

It's a sad reality that the 2000s-2020s era has not been able to give even 1 batsman to the ATG XI.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Steve Smith has comfortably been the best test batsman of this generation but it is also true that his legacy is built on his 60+ test average.

Tendulkar, Lara, Richards left a legacy that is not defined by their batting average. They conquered great bowlers and played iconic test knocks all while exhibiting batting class of the highest order highest order.

Smith is just a more efficient run scorer than Kallis, Sangakkara, Dravid etc. He's not been able to be break that class barrier.

It's a sad reality that the 2000s-2020s era has not been able to give even 1 batsman to the ATG XI.

When Smith's purple patch ends (my prediction next Ashes ) then it'll be interesting to see how he reacts.

And I totally agree with you: SRT/Lara/Viv are greater than their (great) stats!

 

[therealAB]

Steve Smith has comfortably been the best test batsman of this generation but it is also true that his legacy is built on his 60+ test average.

Tendulkar, Lara, Richards left a legacy that is not defined by their batting average. They conquered great bowlers and played iconic test knocks all while exhibiting batting class of the highest order highest order.

Smith is just a more efficient run scorer than Kallis, Sangakkara, Dravid etc. He's not been able to be break that class barrier.

It's a sad reality that the 2000s-2020s era has not been able to give even 1 batsman to the ATG XI.

Smith's legacy is built on many many clutch innings, significantly exceeding all three of the batsmen you mentioned. You say 'efficient run scorer' like that is a bad thing, but that is the aim of the game, looking good isn't.

BTW Sachin's legacy is built on aggregate records and lots of tests and failing in pressure situations

 

[therealAB]

When Smith's purple patch ends (my prediction next Ashes ) then it'll be interesting to see how he reacts.

And I totally agree with you: SRT/Lara/Viv are greater than their (great) stats!��

Smith could average 50 from here and still end up with an average higher than anyone since Barrington and remaining a forerunner for the best since Bradman

 

[MP2011]

BTW Sachin's legacy is built on aggregate records and lots of tests and failing in pressure situations

At least get yourself educated about Tendulkar.

Smith, even if he averages 70, won't come anywhere near the likes of Tendulkar, Lara and Kallis.

It's blasphemy to mention Smith, the cheat with those 3 ATGs.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

At least get yourself educated about Tendulkar.

Smith, even if he averages 70, won't come anywhere near the likes of Tendulkar, Lara and Kallis.

It's blasphemy to mention Smith, the cheat with those 3 ATGs.

Whats wrong in his post?

I have seen sachin throughout the 2000s but steve smith is on a different planet when it comes to playing clutch innings, in a career of 200 matches sachin has 2 SENA centuries in victories.
Let alone sachin even lara, ponting or sanga weren't close to smith in terms of making runs consistently.
He looks totally immovable on the wicket and sachin never gave me the assurance which smith gives.
Cheating has got nothing to do with his batting records.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Steve Smith has comfortably been the best test batsman of this generation but it is also true that his legacy is built on his 60+ test average.

Tendulkar, Lara, Richards left a legacy that is not defined by their batting average. They conquered great bowlers and played iconic test knocks all while exhibiting batting class of the highest order highest order.

Smith is just a more efficient run scorer than Kallis, Sangakkara, Dravid etc. He's not been able to be break that class barrier.

It's a sad reality that the 2000s-2020s era has not been able to give even 1 batsman to the ATG XI.

Smith already has more match winning knocks then sachin.
He avgs 10 more than him, has proved himself everywhere.
Nostalgia forces people to put on a blindfold and just pretend that somehow their view is universally accepted.

 

[therealAB]

At least get yourself educated about Tendulkar.

Smith, even if he averages 70, won't come anywhere near the likes of Tendulkar, Lara and Kallis.

It's blasphemy to mention Smith, the cheat with those 3 ATGs.

Haha

Does ball tampering affect his batting ability.
What are your thoughts on Wasim, Dravid, Atherton, Du Plessis

What would Smith have to average to come near Tendulkar, Lara and Kallis?

 

[Ab Fan]

While I personally don't consider ball-tampering as a massive blunder, Smith's case was not similar to the other incidents of ball-tampering that we noticed. That was blatant cheating and they were doing it from quite some time and in professional sport, nothing is done without the consent of the captain of your team. That incident was disgraceful and it destroys the integrity of the game.

It's fine given that Smith and Warner got the punishment. But its just that what I have noticed over here and we may find it in future is that many ex-cricketers and legends of the game may not give Steve Smith the credit he deserves. I doubt Australians will rate him as a better batsmen than Ponting or Chappell. Personally, he is on his way as far as test cricket is concerned.

 

[therealAB]

While I personally don't consider ball-tampering as a massive blunder, Smith's case was not similar to the other incidents of ball-tampering that we noticed. That was blatant cheating and they were doing it from quite some time and in professional sport, nothing is done without the consent of the captain of your team. That incident was disgraceful and it destroys the integrity of the game.

It's fine given that Smith and Warner got the punishment. But its just that what I have noticed over here and we may find it in future is that many ex-cricketers and legends of the game may not give Steve Smith the credit he deserves. I doubt Australians will rate him as a better batsmen than Ponting or Chappell. Personally, he is on his way as far as test cricket is concerned.

Completely agree, top post. It was disgraceful and that the punishment was appropriate, bordering on a bit light. However I am not a fan of people rating Smith lower as a batsman due to it, and not rating Wasim and others lower. Smith's batting prowess is distinct from his crimes. While it will and should taint his legacy, as Chappell's underarm does, when discussing the merit of somebodies abilities and performances as a batsmen, it is pathetic to rate him lower and call him a cheat instead of of undergoing an unbiased argument by looking at his record.

 

[Pakhs]

While I personally don't consider ball-tampering as a massive blunder, Smith's case was not similar to the other incidents of ball-tampering that we noticed. That was blatant cheating and they were doing it from quite some time and in professional sport, nothing is done without the consent of the captain of your team. That incident was disgraceful and it destroys the integrity of the game.

It's fine given that Smith and Warner got the punishment. But its just that what I have noticed over here and we may find it in future is that many ex-cricketers and legends of the game may not give Steve Smith the credit he deserves. I doubt Australians will rate him as a better batsmen than Ponting or Chappell. Personally, he is on his way as far as test cricket is concerned.

Completely agree, top post. It was disgraceful and that the punishment was appropriate, bordering on a bit light. However I am not a fan of people rating Smith lower as a batsman due to it, and not rating Wasim and others lower. Smith's batting prowess is distinct from his crimes. While it will and should taint his legacy, as Chappell's underarm does, when discussing the merit of somebodies abilities and performances as a batsmen, it is pathetic to rate him lower and call him a cheat instead of of undergoing an unbiased argument by looking at his record.

Ball tampering specially if you are talking about a batsmen is definitely a separate issue! As far as test cricket is concerned Smith is definitely best batsman I have seen in my 20 years of watching cricket. He has scored runs almost everywhere and average almost 70 which is just crazy after 60 odd test matches.

I would be reluctant to call him better than Sachin or Lara yet due to small sample size but if he can keep this up for another 40 test matches than for sure he would be second only to bardman who played ages ago.

 

[Hitman]

Ball tampering specially if you are talking about a batsmen is definitely a separate issue! As far as test cricket is concerned Smith is definitely best batsman I have seen in my 20 years of watching cricket. He has scored runs almost everywhere and average almost 70 which is just crazy after 60 odd test matches.

I would be reluctant to call him better than Sachin or Lara yet due to small sample size but if he can keep this up for another 40 test matches than for sure he would be second only to bardman who played ages ago.

From averaging 62 to almost 70.

 

[Pakhs]

From averaging 62 to almost 70.

Well I didnt check his stats from the last series but at the end of England series he was almost averaging 70 - you reacted as if averaging 62 is a joke.

 

[MP2011]

Whats wrong in his post?

I have seen sachin throughout the 2000s but steve smith is on a different planet when it comes to playing clutch innings, in a career of 200 matches sachin has 2 SENA centuries in victories.
Let alone sachin even lara, ponting or sanga weren't close to smith in terms of making runs consistently.
He looks totally immovable on the wicket and sachin never gave me the assurance which smith gives.
Cheating has got nothing to do with his batting records.

Sachin never gave you assurance because you are a kid who was probably born in '00s, so save me from your sermons.

Yeah, having a bowling lineup of Prasads, Mohantis, Srinaths, Zaheers is same as having a bowling lineup of Cummins, Hazelwood, Johnson and Starc.

Clutch innings against Jimmy less England?

Cheating has nothing to do with batting? Azhar was a mighty fine batsmen, let's ignore he was a bloody cheat.

Under Smith, cheating had taken a systematic shape, makes him one of the biggest cheats the game of cricket has ever seen.

I pity teams which were hard done by Smith's cheating ways.

 

[silentkiller187]

“Shoaib Malik is a much better batsmen than Steven smith when it comes to playing spin” -yuzvendra Chahal..

Think that settles it guys.

 

[tyron_woodley]

look cheating or not he is one of the best ever. Sachin carried a far weaker team in the 90s with a terrible bowling unit to support him.

You have to factor in the bowling strength to justify a batsman's average as well. If bowlers take the pressure off you by bowling out opposition cheaply then it allows your batsmen to be less tired when they proceed to bat. It's hard to quantify the effect but I can understand why people rate sachin over smith.

The issue I have sachin is he never averaged 60 plus even post 2003 when india had a strong side. Hence I rate smith more but in saying that yes he is most certainly cheater without a question. Unless he was given lives while batting and there is o back that claim he will still be the best ever.

 

[andy0204]

look cheating or not he is one of the best ever. Sachin carried a far weaker team in the 90s with a terrible bowling unit to support him.

You have to factor in the bowling strength to justify a batsman's average as well. If bowlers take the pressure off you by bowling out opposition cheaply then it allows your batsmen to be less tired when they proceed to bat. It's hard to quantify the effect but I can understand why people rate sachin over smith.

The issue I have sachin is he never averaged 60 plus even post 2003 when india had a strong side. Hence I rate smith more but in saying that yes he is most certainly cheater without a question. Unless he was given lives while batting and there is o back that claim he will still be the best ever.

That's the reason Iam critical of Sachin because of his fan boys as you can see just above your posts someone threw tantrum.