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

mominsaigol said:
He wasn't. He was better in Australian conditons yes. Otherwise kohli was better everywhere else.
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Aus tour of India 2016- ahighest run scorer Smith 499 .. from India’s side it was Pujara , Kohli wasnt close to Smith in that series in our home.

Multiple examples: Smith had the biggest purple patch I ever saw a batsman having and I have been watching cricket since 1990s..
 
JaDed said:
Aus tour of India 2016- ahighest run scorer Smith 499 .. from India’s side it was Pujara , Kohli wasnt close to Smith in that series in our home.

Multiple examples: Smith had the biggest purple patch I ever saw a batsman having and I have been watching cricket since 1990s..
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Can you tell me when that happened? I only recall India touring aus in 2016, not aus touring india
 
JaDed said:
2017..Feb March
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Brother that's test. Kohli was far far > Smith as an allformat batter though and that was proven in ct 2017.

Evey format is different. Being a goat in format doesn't mean you're a goat in all formats. Case in point YK.

Kohli has always been > Smith in t20. He's always been > Smith minus one world cup in Australian conditions in odi and he's always been > Smith in test minus one series in 2017.

Singling out series means nothing lol
 
mominsaigol said:
Brother that's test. Kohli was far far > Smith as an allformat batter though and that was proven in ct 2017.

Evey format is different. Being a goat in format doesn't mean you're a goat in all formats. Case in point YK.

Kohli has always been > Smith in t20. He's always been > Smith minus one world cup in Australian conditions in odi and he's always been > Smith in test minus one series in 2017.

Singling out series means nothing lol
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In 2015-2017

Smith was better ODI and test player than Kohli.. and at home or away he was absolute beast in that WC..
He was so ahead in tests and ahead of Kohli in ODI in those two years as well.

Please don’t be like Babar fans and bring in JAM ODIs..
 
JaDed said:
In 2015-2017

Smith was better ODI and test player than Kohli.. and at home or away he was absolute beast in that WC..
He was so ahead in tests and ahead of Kohli in ODI in those two years as well.

Please don’t be like Babar fans and bring in JAM ODIs..
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I'm not being a babar fan.

I know clearly what Smith was capable of. He was not superior to kohli in odi at all especially in 2017 lol. No where close.

He's outperformed kohli in a few series and the WC on Australian conditons
 
Greatest beneficiary of flat pitches/drop ins laid by Aussies last decade. Once the tracks became spicier, he became just a very good batsman instead of potential GOAT. Villiers and Kohli are both better in tests, especially on tough tracks (SA and Ind have laid out toughest batting tracks in the last 10 years.), don't read too much into stats which even have Ashwin, Jadeja better than Warne and Philander, Rabada better than Wasim, Donald, Waqar, Roberts etc.
 
Smith is not having a good time opening for Team Australia. Gone for aother single digit score in the 2nd test match against West Indies.

1706247752380.png
 
For all the good things he has done for his team, his team can afford him to go through an occasional lean phase.
 
If Smith was Pakistani/Indian, the fans would be criticizing him for being “selfish” by “blackmailing” the the management to open with him and blocking the path of a “youngster”.

Fact is that opening with Smith is a slap in the face of all the young up and coming openers in Australia. It shows that the selectors and the team management have zero faith in their capabilities.
 
Mamoon said:
If Smith was Pakistani/Indian, the fans would be criticizing him for being “selfish” by “blackmailing” the the management to open with him and blocking the path of a “youngster”.

Fact is that opening with Smith is a slap in the face of all the young up and coming openers in Australia. It shows that the selectors and the team management have zero faith in their capabilities.
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He wanted to open and he said that himself. He failed to perform at this position till now. Still not enough games to judge but Smith is not a youngster, he is a top class batter so he should know, this position is not for him.
 
Can't compare him to guys like Viv and Sachin. I am sure a technically deficient player like Smith can't have a 24 years long career like Sachin, his entire game is based on hand eye coordination and that is gone with age.

I think soon it will be clear that Smith is inferior to AB and Kohli.
 
BouncerGuy said:
He wanted to open and he said that himself. He failed to perform at this position till now. Still not enough games to judge but Smith is not a youngster, he is a top class batter so he should know, this position is not for him.
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It is not about performing or not performing. Smith is a GOAT Test batsman and I’m sure he will score soon, but him opening is principally wrong. It was a very selfish, self- centered and short-sighted decision.

Usman Khawaja is 37, he will be retiring soon as well and he should have been paired with a young opener.
 
Mamoon said:
It is not about performing or not performing. Smith is a GOAT Test batsman and I’m sure he will score soon, but him opening is principally wrong. It was a very selfish, self- centered and short-sighted decision.

Usman Khawaja is 37, he will be retiring soon as well and he should have been paired with a young opener.
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Yes, you are right. Should have made way for some youngster to open and keep playing at the number 3 spot.
 
Smith got his first 50 in his 4th inning as an opener. Was struggling in the start but now he looks good and will be looking to go not out, winning this match for his team. But 2 back to back wickets have done a lot of damage here to his team. Smith Really needs to hang on if Australia has to win this match.
 
Swashbuckler said:
Can't compare him to guys like Viv and Sachin. I am sure a technically deficient player like Smith can't have a 24 years long career like Sachin, his entire game is based on hand eye coordination and that is gone with age.

I think soon it will be clear that Smith is inferior to AB and Kohli.
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Sachin can’t play an innings like this one even if his life depended on it.

That’s what differentiates Smith the GOAT from other great accumulators.
 
jeeteshssaxena said:
Sachin can’t play an innings like this one even if his life depended on it.

That’s what differentiates Smith the GOAT from other great accumulators.
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At home many greats have played such innings especially against weak opponents. And Smith couldn't even finish the game lmao.
 
Statpadder Inc said:
Sachins 136 was miles better than this Innings. Smith couldn't even at home against the windies lol
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Smith just played a great innings against a great bowling attack.
This is not his best innings but it's another great one from him.
Overall, Sachin is no match for Steven Smith as a test batsman. Smith is ahead.
 
Mobashir said:
Smith just played a great innings against a great bowling attack.
This is not his best innings but it's another great one from him.
Overall, Sachin is no match for Steven Smith as a test batsman. Smith is ahead.
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No, you are confusing sachin with inzamam, miamdad and younis khan. I agree that the above 3 are no match for sachin and Smith. Nowhere close enough
 
Mobashir said:
Smith just played a great innings against a great bowling attack.
This is not his best innings but it's another great one from him.
Overall, Sachin is no match for Steven Smith as a test batsman. Smith is ahead.
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It's not even a comparison. Smith is miles better than Tendulkar in tests.
 
Statpadder Inc said:
No, you are confusing sachin with inzamam, miamdad and younis khan. I agree that the above 3 are no match for sachin and Smith. Nowhere close enough
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No I am not.
Every player you named was very good, great and did many good things in cricket.
But you don't compare them with Steven Smith in test cricket. He is the boss.
 
Steve Smith could not finish the game as he ran out of partners at the other end, but he has writen his name in the history books.

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Mobashir said:
Smith just played a great innings against a great bowling attack.
This is not his best innings but it's another great one from him.
Overall, Sachin is no match for Steven Smith as a test batsman. Smith is ahead.
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Overall Sachin is above Smith in tests and so is Viv.

Great bowling attack? Which ATG was bowling?
 
Cricket Warrior said:
no i dont think so... sachin no doubt is a very god ODI batter but u cant place him above Steve Smith.
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You have to say why?

The avg difference between both is now. 4.xx but Sachin has played more innings.

The quality of bowling was better in 90s and early 2000s. Pitches were less batter friendly.

Tendulkar's minimum avg in a country is 40. Smith is behind him here.

Smith hasn't played in SA for 6 years. Hasn't played in NZ for 8 years.
Hasn't played in WI for 9 years.

Out of his 107 tests, 75 has been in England or Australia.

He hasn't played around the world as extensively as Tendulkar.

I am not even going into white ball cricket where Tendulkar is head and shoulders above Smith.

@Hitman
 
I think it's close between Sachin, Lara and Smith.

Ponting and Kallis are a notch below.

Kohli, Root, Miandad and Dravid further below.

Inzamam, Williamson and Rohit a notch further below.
 
cricketjoshila said:
You have to say why?

The avg difference between both is now. 4.xx but Sachin has played more innings.

The quality of bowling was better in 90s and early 2000s. Pitches were less batter friendly.

Tendulkar's minimum avg in a country is 40. Smith is behind him here.

Smith hasn't played in SA for 6 years. Hasn't played in NZ for 8 years.
Hasn't played in WI for 9 years.

Out of his 107 tests, 75 has been in England or Australia.

He hasn't played around the world as extensively as Tendulkar.

I am not even going into white ball cricket where Tendulkar is head and shoulders above Smith.

@Hitman
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Yes and most of the tough pitches are found in SA and India only. Australia have laid good batting wickets all through Smith's career.
 
cricketjoshila said:
You have to say why?

The avg difference between both is now. 4.xx but Sachin has played more innings.

The quality of bowling was better in 90s and early 2000s. Pitches were less batter friendly.

Tendulkar's minimum avg in a country is 40. Smith is behind him here.

Smith hasn't played in SA for 6 years. Hasn't played in NZ for 8 years.
Hasn't played in WI for 9 years.

Out of his 107 tests, 75 has been in England or Australia.

He hasn't played around the world as extensively as Tendulkar.

I am not even going into white ball cricket where Tendulkar is head and shoulders above Smith.

@Hitman
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You should know by now a certain people would rate Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam above Tendulkar, let alone a fine batsman like Smith.

Not that their opinion has ever mattered. We all have seen time and time again which player has almost always made it to prestigious All Time XI's compiled over the years, and also how high that player is placed when list of ATG players are made by credible people involved in the game.
 
cricketjoshila said:
You have to say why?

The avg difference between both is now. 4.xx but Sachin has played more innings.

The quality of bowling was better in 90s and early 2000s. Pitches were less batter friendly.

Tendulkar's minimum avg in a country is 40. Smith is behind him here.

Smith hasn't played in SA for 6 years. Hasn't played in NZ for 8 years.
Hasn't played in WI for 9 years.

Out of his 107 tests, 75 has been in England or Australia.

He hasn't played around the world as extensively as Tendulkar.

I am not even going into white ball cricket where Tendulkar is head and shoulders above Smith.

@Hitman
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Funny how new players get added to the list of being better than Tendulkar with time. First it was Lara in the 90's, then Ponting, then Kallis, then Sangakkara, then Cook, now Smith and Root 😆 :ROFLMAO:
 
Hitman said:
Funny how new players get added to the list of being better than Tendulkar with time. First it was Lara in the 90's, then Ponting, then Kallis, then Sangakkara, then Cook, now Smith and Root 😆 :ROFLMAO:
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They cling on to any random foreign great but never one of their own.
 
Statpadder Inc said:
They cling on to any random foreign great but never one of their own.
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You're wrong! They tried to make their own Inzamam better than Tendulkar. Until when the late, great Shane Warne rated Tendulkar at #1 and Inzamam at #90 in his list of 100 greatest players he played with and against :ROFLMAO: 😆
 
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All of these comparisons will bring nothing to the individual greatness of these players. Smith is a modern-day giant in red-ball format, I do not rate him high in white ball though. Tendulkar was an ODI and Test GOAT. Inziman is also termed as one of the greatest players from Pakistan. Comparing 2 players from different eras can never be justified.
 
Smith has scored a 50 in the 1st ODI against West Indies. Looking pretty comfortable out there so far. He would like to finish the match now.
 
Former Australian captain Kim Hughes had a blunt reply when asked about Smith’s lack of success in reviewing decisions. He stated this during an interview with a media outlet:

“He’s been an amazing player, but to me he’s become very selfish.”

“A number of times I’ve seen him review without even consulting his teammate at the other end."

“You don’t do that unless you know for sure that you’ve nicked it."

“You only get three reviews. If you chew up one early on, you might need it later on.”

“Maybe the selectors should have been stronger."

“They should have said to Steve, when he put his hand up to open, that Cameron Bancroft was the best option."

“It’s sending a bad message to every Sheffield Shield cricketer in Australia when the best available player isn’t being chosen.”
 
Between 2014-2019, Smith had probably the greatest peaks of all-time, averaging 72 in Test cricket with dominant series defining performances in India and England. Unlike Ponting's peak, Smith carried the Australian batting and made the difference on tough pitches as well.

However, he has been on a decline mode post 2020 and the decision to play as opener is ruining his legacy as well as turning out to be a selfish act due to his own willingness to open the batting and not being able to back it up with the runs though.
 
This was Sachin's peak for 100 matches on a TROT. No breaks, no selective carve out. From 1993 to 2004 before his tennis elbow injury.

Screenshot 2024-03-18 at 08-43-29 Batting records Test matches Cricinfo Statsguru ESPNcricinfo...png

Practically as long as Smith's career. While also being the UNDISPUTED GOAT in ODIs.

This peak would even more monstrous if he didn't play in BCCI's poverty days because in at least 7 of those 12 years from 1993-2004 - Sachin only got to play 8 or less tests a year.

In 4 of those years, he played less than 6 tests in a calendar year.

BCCI literally wrecked Sachin's best year when he was on a hot streak :ROFLMAO:
 
Mobashir said:
Great post here.
Smith is mediocre.
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Not as mediocre as Stokes. No need to exaggerate.

If Smith works hard for the next 4-5 years or whatever is left of his career, he might even be rated equal to Michael Clarke.
 
Imagine sachin playing amount of tests as india currently does, and not random sahara and cola campa cups in the desert
 
Personally I’ve never seen a Test batsmen as good as Steven Smith. He proved himself in all conditions.

His record would have been even better if he had not missed out time from the ban due to the sand paper situation, but he returned from that situation with dominant performances. At least amongst his peers, I think there’s no competition in terms of Test batsmen.
 
He had a good run but I don't think he is the best batter I have seen. There is no way he is better than likes of Sangakara, Tendulkar, Mahela, Inzamam, Ponting etc.

He was the best in the past decade though.
 
He is not even the best batsman in this era. Joe root is both a better batsman and more pleasing to watch. By the end of their respective careers they will be pretty close to each other statistically.
 
If we consider all formats, which should if we are qualifying him as the best batsman of this era, than Virat Kohli is ahead of everyone. There is no other in the world who has mastered all three formats as he has. As a test batsman Root is better
 
‘Can’t wait’: Steve Smith signs for Major League Cricket’s Washington Freedom

Australian batter Steve Smith has signed to play for Major League Cricket’s Washington Freedom when the US T20 series begins its second season in July.

Smith will play under a fellow Aussie in Freedom head coach Ricky Ponting in the 2024 campaign, which begins in July after the United States co-hosts the T20 World Cup with the West Indies.

“I’m super excited to be joining the Washington Freedom for season two of the MLC,” former Australia captain Smith said in a video on the club’s social media.

“I can’t wait to meet all of my new teammates and play in front of some incredible crowds in America.

“I’m also really looking forward to working with Ricky Ponting again and his amazing staff.

“Can’t wait for the season. Come on the Freedom.”

SOURCE: FOX SPORTS
 
Best batter is not just someone with good stats. Best batter should also have good techniques.

Smith may have the stats but the technique is very creepy. He is the batting version of Bumrah.
 
Highest Test average (minimum 5000 runs at present):

56.97 - Steven Smith (9685 Runs)
54.98 - Kane Williamson (8743 Runs)
50.11 - Joe Root (12027 Runs)
49.15 - Virat Kohli (8848 Runs)
45.80 - Usman Khawaja (5451 Runs)
 
sweep_shot said:
Best batter is not just someone with good stats. Best batter should also have good techniques.

Smith may have the stats but the technique is very creepy. He is the batting version of Bumrah.
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In case of Smith, it's not just stats. He has genuine impact with bat in top countries home and away in his prime days.
 
Ab Fan said:
In case of Smith, it's not just stats. He has genuine impact with bat in top countries home and away in his prime days.
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Thread title is whether or not Smith is the best batter I have ever seen.

Answer is a resounding no.

To me, a best batter would have smooth/great techniques along with stats to back that up. When I think of a best batter, I think of Jacques Kallis, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakara, Mahela Jayawardene etc.

Should youngsters be taught Smith's techniques? I don't think so.
 
Smith remains unfazed about opening challenge in Tests

Steve Smith is expected to take the opener’s role once again in the five-Test series against India at home later in the year.
Smith took over the vacant opener slot following the retirement of David Warner and featured in the role for over four Tests.

Since taking on the role of opener, Smith has encountered his fair share of challenges, averaging just 28.5. However, he also demonstrated potential in the role with a gritty 91* in the second Test against West Indies in Brisbane.

Smith himself, though, isn't too fussed about his batting position at the moment.

“You’ll have to ask the men in charge but I’m not fussed either way,” Smith was quoted as saying by Code Sports.

Smith, however, did suggest that he hadn’t maximised his output in the position yet, with just one half-century from six innings.

“Some challenging conditions with the new ball, in particular. So I would have liked to score a few more runs," Smith added.

“That’s the game sometimes but I played pretty well in the second innings at the Gabba where we couldn’t get over the line, unfortunately. It’s just a position to me so it doesn’t really faze me too much.”

Smith's composure, though, has been tested in a different format in recent times. The 35-year-old, who didn't make the cut in Australia's T20 World Cup 2024 squad, lamented the lack of opportunity in T20Is, having played just four matches in the shortest format since the 2022 edition of the tournament.

"I don’t know about international T20 stuff. You’ll have to ask the selectors there," Smith noted.

“I was disappointed not to be in the World Cup but that’s the way things go. They wanted all the big hitters.”

Smith did go on to shine in the Major League Cricket in USA, where he was the leading performer (336 runs at an average of 56 and a strike rate of 148.67) for the title-winning Washington Freedom.

On the back of this solid run, the Aussie star was positive about his IPL prospects.

“I’d love to be part of the IPL again, for sure. I’ll be putting my name in the hat so just have to keep scoring runs. You never know, we’ll see what happens.”

On the ICC Review, Ricky Ponting, who was the head coach of Washington Freedom in the recent season, also stated that the decision regarding Smith's position in Tests would depend on how he viewed the situation going forward.

“[The question is] not whether Smith's the right man to open the batting but whether he thinks it's the right spot for him. Because I think if he doesn't think it's the right spot then they'll make a change and get someone else back up there,” Ponting had said.

Smith is a part of the Australia ODI squad for the upcoming tour of England, which will be followed by the five-Test home series against India.

India currently lead the World Test Championship points table with a point percentage of 68.52, whereas Australia are right behind them with a point percentage of 62.5.

www.icc-cricket.com

Smith remains unfazed about opening challenge in Tests

Steve Smith is expected to take the opener’s role once again in the five-Test series against India at home later in the year.
www.icc-cricket.com www.icc-cricket.com
 
‘Fantastic news’: Steve Smith pens three-year deal with the Sydney Sixers

Steve Smith won’t be retiring anytime soon after making a long-term commitment to play for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash.

Marnus Labuschagne has also signed on for the Brisbane Heat, with the Australian stars again looming as marquee signings as the crowded T20 landscape hits hard.

Cricket Australia released the international player nominations for the upcoming draft and it read less like a who’s who of guns for hire but more like a list of the same old BBL names.

West Indian bowler Shamar Joseph, who took Australia down in an unforgettable Gabba Test last summer, was the only new addition, but his availability is limited due to clashes with tournaments in the United Arab Emirates and South Africa that again take a big bite out of the talent pool.

Spin star Rashid Khan will skip the BBL again in favour of more lucrative deals elsewhere, having also expressed dismay at CA again baulking at playing bilateral cricket against his home country of Afghanistan.

Big Bash officials were hopeful the likes of Smith and his fellow Test stars, so often unavailable for the bulk of the tournament, could play post the final of five Tests against India, with a potential two-week window for appearances.

But Test captain Pat Cummins shut down any chance of the team’s fast bowling cartel putting on the coloured clothing, saying a tour to Sri Lanka in February, and the need to first have a break and then prepare, would make it “tough” to be involved.

“We’ve got the five Tests then straight into the Sri Lanka tour, about a week-and-a-half after the last Test we’ll fly off, so I think it might be tough,” he said.

The news of Smith’s three-year deal is significant in that he has been coy about his future over recent summers, unwilling to make a definitive call about playing on.

But having found his way to T20 leagues including Major League Cricket in the US, after missing an IPL contract, the 35-year-old has the belief he still has a lot to offer in the T20 space.

While there’s no guarantee about his international future, the new deal means he will play on in the BBL until he’s 37.

“It’s fantastic news to have Steve commit to the club for the next three years,” Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes said.

“Steve is a proven performer in this format and he’s in outstanding white-ball form at the moment, leading Washington Freedom to their first title in Major League Cricket last month.

“Steve is a Sixer through and through and has been part of the club since the very beginning.

“It’s a sign of significant commitment on his part to sign on with the club for the next three years and we couldn’t be happier to have him on board long-term.”

Labuschagne, who was named captain of Queensland for this season, has signed on for one year, his ninth at the Heat, with no clear idea of how many games he might play.

“I think he is an exceptionally underrated T20 player,” first-year Heat coach Johan Botha said.

“We’re delighted he will be available to play some games for us again in the BBL and look forward to his input with the squad as we get closer to December.”

SOURCE: https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...s-story/26b03ee74a165cd0de05825d885bdb6e?s=08
 
He’s nowhere near the best batsman I have ever seen but he will go down as one of the most resilient ones. He reminds me a lot of Chanderpaul, Atherton, Langer, Azhar Ali type batters. Not a lot of flair but legendary resilience.
 
Taras ata hai at those who were claiming that he'll end his career with an average of more than 60.
 
Hitman said:
Taras ata hai at those who were claiming that he'll end his career with an average of more than 60.
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From here on his average will only decrease the way he is batting right now .

Most likely finish around 55 .
 
Devadwal said:
From here on his average will only decrease the way he is batting right now .

Most likely finish around 55 .
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Still remember a certain poster in 2006 dancing how Ponting will end his career with an average of more than 60 with 60 centuries :ROFLMAO:
 
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Former Australia captain and star batter Steve Smith opened up regarding his retirement rumours, stating that he is currently enjoying the game, he said:

“I don’t have any retirement plans, I’m just enjoying playing at the moment. I’m pretty relaxed and I’m looking forward to this summer,”

“I think I’ll get a few (BBL) games in this year and then we’ll see where we go from there. Every chance I get, I jump at it,”

“I’m looking forward to the Border Gavaskar Trophy. India is going to be a great challenge, they’re a very good side. We’re the two best Test teams in the world,”

“The conversations I’ve had so far are that we’ll go to England and the boys will have the T20s, and then I’m there for the one-dayers and we’ll make a decision after that,”

“Those conversations are happening in the background. I saw some comments that Usman (Khawaja) made and I think he said he likes me down at number four, and I think Marnus (Labuschagne) is of a similar thought pattern."

“I’m happy wherever and I’ll bat anywhere for the team. For me it’s just a position.”
 
Cricket Warrior said:
Former Australia captain and star batter Steve Smith opened up regarding his retirement rumours, stating that he is currently enjoying the game, he said:

“I don’t have any retirement plans, I’m just enjoying playing at the moment. I’m pretty relaxed and I’m looking forward to this summer,”

“I think I’ll get a few (BBL) games in this year and then we’ll see where we go from there. Every chance I get, I jump at it,”

“I’m looking forward to the Border Gavaskar Trophy. India is going to be a great challenge, they’re a very good side. We’re the two best Test teams in the world,”

“The conversations I’ve had so far are that we’ll go to England and the boys will have the T20s, and then I’m there for the one-dayers and we’ll make a decision after that,”

“Those conversations are happening in the background. I saw some comments that Usman (Khawaja) made and I think he said he likes me down at number four, and I think Marnus (Labuschagne) is of a similar thought pattern."

“I’m happy wherever and I’ll bat anywhere for the team. For me it’s just a position.”
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Smith can play for some time, but his performance has been far below his usual standards agasint India in the last 8-9 tests. One of the reasons for Aus to lose so many test series agaisnt India. Best time to correct it on home turf because winning in india will be a lot harder.
 
Smith in the white Ball was never among the best players like rohit, virat, warner etc.

In red-ball, he is probably the best batter in the last decade since he rose to the occasion as a batter. His Fab 4 was not justified TBH because his all-format game was not up to mark.
 
BouncerGuy said:
Smith in the white Ball was never among the best players like rohit, virat, warner etc.

In red-ball, he is probably the best batter in the last decade since he rose to the occasion as a batter. His Fab 4 was not justified TBH because his all-format game was not up to mark.
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In 2015 he was
 
A big dip in his form in limited-over cricket. Can he improve?

bnF4Grl.png
 
Steve Smith is no longer an option for the opening slot in Tests for Australia

-----------------------------------------------

Australia's chief selector George Bailey announced the development while addressing media:

“Pat, Andrew (McDonald) and Steven Smith have been having ongoing discussions, separate to the untimely injury to Cameron, anyway and I think Steve had expressed a desire to move back down from that opening position. Pat and Andrew have confirmed that he will be dropping back down the order for the summer."
 

‘They hated me up top’: Superstar Smith reveals TRUE reason behind return to ’ideal position’​


Champion batsman Steve Smith said part of his reason for returning to his preferred No. 4 position was due to “the hatred” his top-order teammates had for his shift to opener at the tail-end of last summer as a replacement for David Warner.

The 35-year-old, who was caught behind for three at the MCG in a Sheffield Sheld match at the MCG on Monday, has put the experiment of partnering Usman Khawaja behind him.

Smith made an unbeaten 91 against the West Indies at the Gabba and showed good fight in testing conditions in Wellington against New Zealand, saying he enjoyed the experiment.

“It was good fun having a crack at something new, batting up top. I still feel I could do a job there, for sure,” he said.

But he said Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne were “pretty strong on me not batting there” and preferred “the security” of him batting in the middle order.

The injury to Cameron Green, who batted superbly at No. 4 in the series against New Zealand, ostensibly left a vacancy at No. 4, though the decision was made prior to the all-rounder undergoing surgery on stress fractures that have ruled him out for the summer.

“Obviously, there’s a spot there now with Greeny out, and I think just conversations we had after New Zealand with particularly Marnus and Uzi, they hated me up top, to be honest,” Smith said.

“They wanted me behind them. So that was a big part of it. And then, obviously, I’ve got a decent record at four. I’ve done pretty well at four for a number of years now (and) I feel like it’s probably where I can have my best input for this team at the moment.”

www.foxsports.com.au

‘They hated me up top’: Superstar Smith reveals TRUE reason behind return to ’ideal position’

‘They hated me up top’: Superstar Smith reveals TRUE reason behind return to ’ideal position’
www.foxsports.com.au www.foxsports.com.au
 
Steve Smith has had a solid record in Adelaide in Test cricket, with one century and four fifties.

Can he recover after his failure in the first Test?

I2nIAnu.jpg
 
Steven Smith c †Pant b Bumrah 2 (11b 0x4 0x6) SR: 18.18

Steve Smith now averages 56.09.

The problem with a lot of fans is that they assume a player in an unbelievable purple patch would continue it till his final innings of his career. Things don't work out that way. Nothing to take away from him though. He has been a very high quality Test batsman.

Ponting at his absolute peak in 2006 averaged just a shade below 60. He ended his career with an average of just above 51.​
 
Hitman said:
Steven Smith c †Pant b Bumrah 2 (11b 0x4 0x6) SR: 18.18

Steve Smith now averages 56.09.

The problem with a lot of fans is that they assume a player in an unbelievable purple patch would continue it till his final innings of his career. Things don't work out that way. Nothing to take away from him though. He has been a very high quality Test batsman.

Ponting at his absolute peak in 2006 averaged just a shade below 60. He ended his career with an average of just above 51.​
Click to expand...
Difference is Steve Smith's peak was close to Bradman's level. 70 to 86 avg year by year is something pointing never did.

Furthermore he performed in every country equally something which no other batter besides Sachin achieved.

Afterwards peak pointing never played such clutch innings. Smith was playing those historic 153 lara level innings every game.

I agree with you it is a purple patch, however it's still the best purple patch of all time. Playing ATG innings game by game isn't something anyone has achieved barring Bradman.
 
Smith’s decline further proves the greatness of Sachin.

Sachin too had a peak of 8-9 years(1993-2002) but then had a decline from 2003 onwards too. But he again hit the peak by 2007 and it stayed till 2011 World Cup. That’s what longevity does, if you don’t hit purple patch or peak again, your stats will go down big time during decline.
 
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