Hitman
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What has a player’s ability or performance got to do with how his fans conduct themselves? This is absurd.
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[VIDEOS] Is Steven Smith the best batter you have ever seen?
- Thread starter Mobashir
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What has a player’s ability or performance got to do with how his fans conduct themselves? This is absurd.
andy0204
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I already rated him as a batsman but sometimes I feel he is overrated after 2000's,its my opinion.
Hitman
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He wasn’t at his flamboyant best from 2004 till mid 2007 due to his injuries and had to cut down on a lot of strokes from his arsenal.
Is Smith a worse batter and less likely to get a big total because of his cheating. I have no issues with you not putting him in an ATG XI, but to say he is a lesser batsmen is not valid. Sachin never scored more than 500 in a series. He was not the team-carrying force that Smith is. Smith scored 500 in a series in both India and England when he was the only reason Australia were competitive
Well since he became a specialist...
Sachin was no where near as good as carrying as SMith is. That indian team didn't win away from home
It settles it that Chahal is an idiot. Smith is arguably the best batsmen in the world against spin atm. Only Rohit, Mayank compete. He is way better than Kohli (see 2017 series)
tyron_woodley
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thats why I said smith is the best ever for me?
cheating or not.
there is no evidence to suggest that smith was given lives so until someone proves to me that he cheated whilst batting then he will forever remain the best ever. Not the best. Best ever. Better than bradman who was an amateur. I don't include amateur era greats.
ok sorry misread your post apologies
It's a very sad story, isn't it?
Steven Smith is a cricket tragic - like Marnus Labuschagne - who through insanely hard work and repetition made himself into a top class batsman.
When I went on the ill-fated Australian tour to South Africa in 2017-18 I realized that Smith is superb but just not quite in the highest category - it was plain for all to see that AB De Villiers was simply better than him.
Smith reminded me of football players like Kevin Keegan and Jean-Pierre Papin - guys who did not have an extraordinary talent but who worked so hard that they became top class players, but who when they reached the World Cup or the Euros where the more gifted players had prepared hard too they just couldn't have the same impact.
Diego Maradona would basically cruise at half-effort until a World Cup year, when suddenly he ensured that he was as fit as Papin and as highly-trained. And suddenly you realized that even though Papin had outscored him for the last 3 years, it was Maradona who was the best.
A similar story played out with Alan Shearer and the original Ronaldo. Shearer was fitter and he trained harder, and year in year out he performed better. And then you would get to World Cup year, and Ronaldo would train as hard as Shearer, and be a more decisive factor.
Of course the really sad thing with Steve Smith is that like most batsmen, his time came and a truly fast bowler - Jofra Archer - hit him. But let's be frank - Smith has never been the same since, has he? He is a little bit rattled and has not worked out how to play the short ball.
Steven Smith is a cricket tragic - like Marnus Labuschagne - who through insanely hard work and repetition made himself into a top class batsman.
When I went on the ill-fated Australian tour to South Africa in 2017-18 I realized that Smith is superb but just not quite in the highest category - it was plain for all to see that AB De Villiers was simply better than him.
Smith reminded me of football players like Kevin Keegan and Jean-Pierre Papin - guys who did not have an extraordinary talent but who worked so hard that they became top class players, but who when they reached the World Cup or the Euros where the more gifted players had prepared hard too they just couldn't have the same impact.
Diego Maradona would basically cruise at half-effort until a World Cup year, when suddenly he ensured that he was as fit as Papin and as highly-trained. And suddenly you realized that even though Papin had outscored him for the last 3 years, it was Maradona who was the best.
A similar story played out with Alan Shearer and the original Ronaldo. Shearer was fitter and he trained harder, and year in year out he performed better. And then you would get to World Cup year, and Ronaldo would train as hard as Shearer, and be a more decisive factor.
Of course the really sad thing with Steve Smith is that like most batsmen, his time came and a truly fast bowler - Jofra Archer - hit him. But let's be frank - Smith has never been the same since, has he? He is a little bit rattled and has not worked out how to play the short ball.
Smith was extremely tired coming off a long, difficult home series vs England. Smith's performances around the world have been significantly better than ABdV. Smith has shown himself to be better in the big stage, like vs India, England and in WC knockouts, so your Maradona comment in false as Smith is the best big match player in the world. Where did you rank Sachin who did not stand up?
Smith got hit by a fast bowler bowling a brilliant spell on a variable pitch. Smith then went and played two absolutely brilliant innings in the 4th test. In the home series vs NZ smith faced a lot of short balls before getting out. NZ subdued Smith rather than getting him out, tiring their own bowlers so the other batsmen could run wild. Any normal bowler, other than Wagner could not have bowled as many short balls.
Smith is the clutchest batsmen since Bradman. Saying he is not the best is stupidity
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Then you don’t know enough about Tendulkar’s Houdini acts. Educate yourself about ‘90s and the level of bowling and how far ahead Tendulkar was of his peers.
That Indian team didn’t win enough as it always had a popgun attack, at least in away tests and you need to take 20 wickets to win a test, more often than not.
Is it that difficult to grasp?
After the Ashes and before the Kiwis arrived, Smith played two proper matches in 10 weeks (against Pakistan) and scored 4 and 36.
He then played three Tests against the Kiwis at home and had a top score of 85 in 3 Tests as he was consistently and repeatedly bounced out.
He did really well with a whacky technique until he got hit. And has never looked the same since.
Ab Fan
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I agree. Smith and Kohli are simply not in the same class as AB de Villiers. That is the highest class and only Lara and Tendulkar belongs there.
jeeteshssaxena
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First of all i have seen sachin throughout the 2000s and if you remove your tinted glasses you will also realise that sachin was more about maintaining a consistent average instead of going for the kill.
Sachin never scored 500+in a test series, now explain me what indian bowlers have got to do with this.
tyron_woodley
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eh what? AB greater than smith and kohli?
That's what I was alluding to. You didn't witness him in '90s when he was by far the best batsman on planet and yet somehow find yourself equipped to declare that he was only a consistent scorer.
Just like therealab, educate yourself about his travails in '90s, see what kind of bowling attacks he took apart while being a lone ranger for his team especially in away tests while looking extremely classy at the same time, unlike someone who has got one of the ugliest looking batting techniques ever.
tyron_woodley
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just because his technique isn't aesthetic does not equate to him being worse than tenda. Put smith in india team of the 90s he would carry them just as well if not better than what tenda did.
However what I feel is tenda would've been the better player in a world class team. Smith's value diminishes when he plays alongside great players. He is more like an overachiever who can raise the bar for weaker teams.
tenda would make strong teams potentially unbeatable.
in saying that tenda is still inferior to smith in my opinion. Very slightly.
Currently you cant argue with average over 60 thats almost 8-10 points higher.
tyron_woodley
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absolutely. it's nuts. Australia vs india home and away over the next 2 year's will decide who is better. Includes kohli as well who can move above tenda too if he performs again.
Smith steps up when required, not when beating substandard teams by hundreds of runs. I have faith when we next need Smith to step up he will.
Also, you said he has not looked the same since. What about his 200 followed by a clutch 80 in the 4th test?
Yep agreed. Tendulkar is the more dominating player while Smith is ungettoutable which is good in bad teams because he can carry them as well as potentially draw games in bad situation (e.g. vs India 2017)
Even in the 90's Steve Waugh was more consistently clutch and dominating against the top teams. I am not saying he is worse than Waugh, but Waugh won series by dominating (1995 winning in the west indies for the 1st time in 20 years vs Walsh, Ambrose, Bishop). Sachin never scored more than 500 in a series
Lol, Waugh won the series? More clutch? What decides who is clutch? Did he take 20 WI wickets as well? You yet again forget that test cricket is a game of taking 20 opposition wickets or do you reckon Australian bowling attack as equal to India's popgun attack?
More than 500 runs in a series? Who made this a qualification criteria? You?
The 500 run qualification has been used many times and shows how much a player dominates a series. It is a nice, round number that is not picked to cherry-pick for Smith, I could pick 450/600 and show just as clearly that Smith is better at dominating series.
Did you watch the 1995 series, as if you did you would realise Waugh dominated. His 63* was the gutsiest innings in history, and convinced the WI they could not win the series despite winning the test. Standing up to Ambrose in those conditions leaves a mark and Waugh just wanted it more. Sachin could never had made such a statement in those conditions as he is a stats-padder who does not stop up, like Waugh did then and Smith has done vs England and India
Unlike someone like you, I'm not too much of a patriot. You are someone who obviously can't see anyone past his compatriots.
Try to look at cricketers without putting your country blinkers on and you may just see the light.
Only someone who has not seen any top level cricket will put Tendulkar down, just to put his compatriots on top.
Try to look at cricketers without putting your country blinkers on and you may just see the light.
Only someone who has not seen any top level cricket will put Tendulkar down, just to put his compatriots on top.
pick a number that is not a cherry pick and we can work with that
it was a bowlers series and Waugh was the only batsman to stand up. Outperformed Lara vs a better attack at his home. Batsmen need to set up tests to win them. The mental effect of what he did cannot be understated
Do you have to have seen every batsmen ever to decide who is the greatest?
Ad Hominem.
I rate many Australian player low. I believe that Ponting, Hussey, Hayden, Lillee are vastly overrated. See my post re. Hayden in another thread recently. I rate some players from other countries very highly. Richards, Gavaskar, Kohli in test cricket, Sobers, B.Richards and Pollock to name a few. I also rate Sachin highly. However, I do not rate these players higher than Smith due to how he dominates series.
You instead vote a player down because he has an ugly looking technique, which does obviously not affect his ability to score runs
How can that work. Isn't the better runscorer the better bat.
Does that mean you would pick Smith to win a test?
I will say it like this, let's divide a batsman's strength in parts. To me they will be hand-eye coordination, ability to find gap, range of strokes , wrist work, footwork etc. I think a lara or a tendulkar will score better than smith in almost all the areas, but smith is supremely fit and have unmatched concentration which enables him to be better in run-production.
Mueez
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Sachin > Smith.
Smith hasn’t even faced 10% of the fast bowlers which Sachin had faced.
Smith hasn’t even faced 10% of the fast bowlers which Sachin had faced.
Bhaijaan
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It's a weird debate.
I admire Smith, a lot.
But the guy's career is not finished and most current and ex cricketers openly put Kohli ahead of him as an overall batsman. With that in mind, why is there a hurry to put him ahead of Sachin? I mean not even ahead of Ponting, Lara and so many other greats with 150 tests but you're putting him over a guy with 200 tests. I think it's insane and rather unfair on Smith and not on Sachin.
It makes guys like me ridicule Smith just for the sake of it even though I hate to.
Sometimes it feels like rather than admiration for good batsmen like Smith, Sangakkara, Kallis etc, people just have an urge to put Sachin down by their desperate attempts.
Whether you like it or hate it, Tendulkar is not just one of the giants of the game, by all means he is The giant of the game.
Let Smith, Kohli, Babar, Root,Williamson retire. Let's see what their final numbers and accomplishments are. There is no hurry.
People ca themselves true fans of the game and yet they show no awareness of what it takes to play 150+, 200 test matches. It's 24 years if cricket at the highest level. If you can't say anything good, just stay quiet and stop embarrassing yourselves.
I admire Smith, a lot.
But the guy's career is not finished and most current and ex cricketers openly put Kohli ahead of him as an overall batsman. With that in mind, why is there a hurry to put him ahead of Sachin? I mean not even ahead of Ponting, Lara and so many other greats with 150 tests but you're putting him over a guy with 200 tests. I think it's insane and rather unfair on Smith and not on Sachin.
It makes guys like me ridicule Smith just for the sake of it even though I hate to.
Sometimes it feels like rather than admiration for good batsmen like Smith, Sangakkara, Kallis etc, people just have an urge to put Sachin down by their desperate attempts.
Whether you like it or hate it, Tendulkar is not just one of the giants of the game, by all means he is The giant of the game.
Let Smith, Kohli, Babar, Root,Williamson retire. Let's see what their final numbers and accomplishments are. There is no hurry.
People ca themselves true fans of the game and yet they show no awareness of what it takes to play 150+, 200 test matches. It's 24 years if cricket at the highest level. If you can't say anything good, just stay quiet and stop embarrassing yourselves.
Bumrah, Rabada, Holder will all be ATG's in the future. Steyn is a top tier ATG. Ashwin, jadeja, Herath, Anderson in home conditions are ATG's. The world batting average these days is as low as ever, showing the strength of bowlers.
What people do not reliase is that these bowlers are not yet seen as ATG's as they are early in their career. In 1990 nobody would have said Ambrose, Waqar and Wasim are ATG's. In 1995 nobody would have said Donald and McGrath were ATG's
I completely agree that Tendulkar is a giant of the game and >> Every batsmen today as an all format player. I rate him as a top 10 test bat of all time and a legitimate contender for the best since Bradman, which very few ATG's have a claim. I compare Smith to him as he is the greater competition. I rate Sachin >> Ponting, Kallis, Sangakarra etc and >Lara.
The reason why I rate Smith above him is that I just view him as a better test batsmen. If I had to pick a player to score a 100 in tough conditions, I would pick Smith over just about anyone. I don't really care a whole lot about longevity as long as a player has proved himself in all conditions and influenced many series. I am not rating Labu > ATG's just because of his average as he has not shown to be great in all conditions. I mean no disrespect to Sachin and consider him a greater test cricketer than Smith due to his longevity and influence in India, but just not a better one understanding the difference between the 'best' and the 'greatest'. I also rate peak > longevity, and it is a fact that Smith has had a better peak than Sachin. This rating is also shown by me rating Imran very highly as a fast bowler for example, igher than Wasim, Lillee, Donald, he obtained a level that the others did not, while they might have had more consistent careers. THis is how i rate cricketers, and I have no issues with people rating longevity highly
The one thing that does frustrate me is people rating him higher due to the fact that he is aesthetically better. I do a bit of coaching, and I ask teach and people to look at Sachin's technique as he is the textbook, especially for his driving and defense. However this does not affect his quality as a test batsman, as the most important factor is mental determination and stamina which Smith has mastered more than anyone since Bradman, and all I care about is how many runs they score. When people use this as a reason for rating Smith higher I do tend to get a bit mad so sorry guys.
To be fair smith hasn't faced bumrah in a test yet. And hasn't scored a century against rabada in 6 tests.
Yep good point, didn't realise. Quite confident he will improve that though, even Sachin/Lara started slowly against the top bowlers. 2016 smith wasn't the player he is now and while the 2018 series was torried, that is his worst series ever and likely the rest of fatigue over an ashes series. Still admit that this is an issue in his record, slightly countered by his outstanding series vs Steyn, Morkel and Philander in 2014
Bhaijaan
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Bro this is a very different take from some of your trollish and utterly idiotic comments in the other thread where you clearly claimed Sachin cannot score on tricky pitches.
You need to stop beating about the bush and clearly state your intentions.
It's perfectly fine for you to have a favorite but you praise Sachin here, call him.a contender for best since Bradman whole some of your other posts seem to portray Sachin as some Shane Watson.
I am honestly confused if you are taking the mickey or having a serious debate
I did not state that. I say he is worse than Smith and I would prefer to have Smith score a hundred on a tricky pitch. I stand by that. I would pick Sachin over just about any other batsmen. I was not the person comparing him with Stokes, Watson etc as i believe that is idiotic. Please do not portray me like that, just as I do not see you as someone who blindly follows every player Indian, calls Dhoni the greatest player etc
Just adding on to that, I have not responded to posts saying that Hussey > Sachin and stuff like that.
The only things re Sachin I have said are (please quote me if there are others):
1. I would pick Smith on tricky pitches
2. Smith is mentally tougher
3. Sachin gets worshipped and it is ok to criticise him
All of those three are reasonable at the very least, not tearing Sachin down. Especially the 3rd one, we are on a forum and welcome to criticise anybody player we like
Also the ICC rankings, I do not totally agree with them as they only look at peak (Sachin >>> Hussey, Harvey, May) but i had to object to using them to say Warne << Ashwin when it is a commonly noted flaw of the rankings that they do not account home/away
Also please post when I compared him to watto, seems you are getting me confused with FDP
The only things re Sachin I have said are (please quote me if there are others):
1. I would pick Smith on tricky pitches
2. Smith is mentally tougher
3. Sachin gets worshipped and it is ok to criticise him
All of those three are reasonable at the very least, not tearing Sachin down. Especially the 3rd one, we are on a forum and welcome to criticise anybody player we like
Also the ICC rankings, I do not totally agree with them as they only look at peak (Sachin >>> Hussey, Harvey, May) but i had to object to using them to say Warne << Ashwin when it is a commonly noted flaw of the rankings that they do not account home/away
Also please post when I compared him to watto, seems you are getting me confused with FDP
King_Kohli
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Highest Test Average among Current players
S Smith - 62.84
Kohli - 53.62
Kane - 50.99
Warner - 48.94
Pujara - 48.66
Root - 48.40
S Smith - 62.84
Kohli - 53.62
Kane - 50.99
Warner - 48.94
Pujara - 48.66
Root - 48.40
CanadianG00se
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No, S Smith is not the best batsman
Sachin
Lara
Dravid
Ponting
Kohli
AB de Villiers
Are easily better than him that I have seen playing.
Sachin
Lara
Dravid
Ponting
Kohli
AB de Villiers
Are easily better than him that I have seen playing.
In test cricket or all formats?
CanadianG00se
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Even in Test cricket. S Smith might displace Kohli if it’s only Test, but those batsmen were facing much better bowlers in bowling friendly pitches. Not taking away anything from S Smith, but it’s really hard to put him above any of those legendary players. For me, Smith will always be notch below Ponting.
All formats, Smith isn’t even best batsman of his era let alone comparing from previous.
So you think that Kohli > Smith
Smith has also faced much better bowlers on trickier pitches in test cricket and done better than ABdV
CanadianG00se
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Overall,
Kohli > Smith
Test
Smith > Kohli
As I said, Smith as test batsman is beast, but overall he is nowhere near mentioned legendary players. Those players on their day would take the game away on its own, Smith in LOIs at best would play support role.
yep agreed, Smith not an explosive ODI bat
Geil
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debating about a player who has not ended his career yet with stuff like the best batsman you have ever seen is not right, let him complete his career, it is childish to declare him the best but certainly he can be the best if he continues his form but a very long way to go
looking at his age and current pandemic it will be tough for smith to get to 10k test runs first then we can have the debate of him being the best, the best batsmen should be the one who have batted the same way through out their career in top notch form, smith still has some years into his career and 10k test runs, very childish thread if the idea is to declare or ask is he the best right now
looking at his age and current pandemic it will be tough for smith to get to 10k test runs first then we can have the debate of him being the best, the best batsmen should be the one who have batted the same way through out their career in top notch form, smith still has some years into his career and 10k test runs, very childish thread if the idea is to declare or ask is he the best right now
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Beating arch-rivals England in its own backyard and achieving Test success in India are the “two big mountains” which Australian batting mainstay Steve Smith wants to climb before calling time on his career.
Australia had retained the Ashes in England last year with a 2-2 draw but the defeat in the last Test at The Oval still rankles Smith, who was the star of the series with 774 runs at an average of 110.57 from four Tests.
The 31-year-old had scored three centuries during the four-Test series in India in 2017 but Australia still ended up losing 1-2 and a Test win against Virat Kohli and his men ranks high in his list.
Time for performance-linked pay in Test cricket
Australia is scheduled to tour India in October 2022.
“They’re the two big mountains to climb and if you can do that, it would be pretty special. Hopefully I get another crack at it, we’ll see how we go,” Smith was quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au.
“I’m getting a bit old now. You never know how long I’ve got left, and you never know what the future holds. But it’s certainly something to strive for, that’s for sure.”
Talking about last year’s Ashes, Smith said: “To know that we’d got the Ashes back was pretty special. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win them which is something I’d still like to do.
“It just doesn’t feel the same you get to the end of the series and we’re there holding up the Ashes but we’d just lost the last Test match, and we actually hadn’t won anything.
“It was cool to get them back, but I was actually more disappointed that we hadn’t won them.”
Australia will hope to retain the Ashes at home in 2021-22 before getting a chance to beat England away with the tour scheduled in 2023.
“From my personal perspective, I think it’s unfinished business. It’s great to retain the Ashes but it just doesn’t sit right with me when you don’t win it. We drew the series — good, but not great.
“So I probably left at the end of the fifth Test (feeling) more disappointed than a sense of achievement,” he said.
Smith had suffered a concussion after being hit on his neck by a delivery from England pacer Jofra Archer during the second Test at Lord’s. He was ruled out of the remainder of the match and also had to miss the third Test which England won by one wicket.
Smith returned to score 211 in the fourth Test at Old Trafford to help Australia retain the urn.
“I’ve seen it a few times. It’s not hard to watch. I’ve looked back at the knock a few times, and I just count myself lucky at times to have been able to get up from it and to only have a concussion,” he added.
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...ries-in-india-and-england/article32276571.ece
Australia had retained the Ashes in England last year with a 2-2 draw but the defeat in the last Test at The Oval still rankles Smith, who was the star of the series with 774 runs at an average of 110.57 from four Tests.
The 31-year-old had scored three centuries during the four-Test series in India in 2017 but Australia still ended up losing 1-2 and a Test win against Virat Kohli and his men ranks high in his list.
Time for performance-linked pay in Test cricket
Australia is scheduled to tour India in October 2022.
“They’re the two big mountains to climb and if you can do that, it would be pretty special. Hopefully I get another crack at it, we’ll see how we go,” Smith was quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au.
“I’m getting a bit old now. You never know how long I’ve got left, and you never know what the future holds. But it’s certainly something to strive for, that’s for sure.”
Talking about last year’s Ashes, Smith said: “To know that we’d got the Ashes back was pretty special. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win them which is something I’d still like to do.
“It just doesn’t feel the same you get to the end of the series and we’re there holding up the Ashes but we’d just lost the last Test match, and we actually hadn’t won anything.
“It was cool to get them back, but I was actually more disappointed that we hadn’t won them.”
Australia will hope to retain the Ashes at home in 2021-22 before getting a chance to beat England away with the tour scheduled in 2023.
“From my personal perspective, I think it’s unfinished business. It’s great to retain the Ashes but it just doesn’t sit right with me when you don’t win it. We drew the series — good, but not great.
“So I probably left at the end of the fifth Test (feeling) more disappointed than a sense of achievement,” he said.
Smith had suffered a concussion after being hit on his neck by a delivery from England pacer Jofra Archer during the second Test at Lord’s. He was ruled out of the remainder of the match and also had to miss the third Test which England won by one wicket.
Smith returned to score 211 in the fourth Test at Old Trafford to help Australia retain the urn.
“I’ve seen it a few times. It’s not hard to watch. I’ve looked back at the knock a few times, and I just count myself lucky at times to have been able to get up from it and to only have a concussion,” he added.
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...ries-in-india-and-england/article32276571.ece
The Viper
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Steve Smith says he will miss English crowds egging him on
Steve Smith will miss the boos and jeers from the spectators during next month's limited-overs series in England, which will be played behind closed doors.
The former Australia captain was jeered by the crowd in last year's Ashes series for the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that unfolded in South Africa on his watch.
"I do like batting there," Smith told reporters before departing for Australia's first international tour since the coronavirus pandemic halted professional cricket.
"But unfortunately there's no crowd there to egg me on and give me a bit more motivation.
"Still, there is going to be plenty of eyes on the TV and it is going to be great to be back out there playing."
Beginning on September 4, Australia will play three Twenty20 Internationals in Southampton before moving to another bio-secure venue in Manchester for an equal number of one-dayers, all live on Sky Sports Cricket.
Apart from a 12-month suspension, Smith was also slapped with a two-year leadership ban after the scandal in South Africa, with Tim Paine appointed the Test skipper.
https://www.skysports.com/cricket/n...ays-he-will-miss-english-crowds-egging-him-on
Steve Smith will miss the boos and jeers from the spectators during next month's limited-overs series in England, which will be played behind closed doors.
The former Australia captain was jeered by the crowd in last year's Ashes series for the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that unfolded in South Africa on his watch.
"I do like batting there," Smith told reporters before departing for Australia's first international tour since the coronavirus pandemic halted professional cricket.
"But unfortunately there's no crowd there to egg me on and give me a bit more motivation.
"Still, there is going to be plenty of eyes on the TV and it is going to be great to be back out there playing."
Beginning on September 4, Australia will play three Twenty20 Internationals in Southampton before moving to another bio-secure venue in Manchester for an equal number of one-dayers, all live on Sky Sports Cricket.
Apart from a 12-month suspension, Smith was also slapped with a two-year leadership ban after the scandal in South Africa, with Tim Paine appointed the Test skipper.
https://www.skysports.com/cricket/n...ays-he-will-miss-english-crowds-egging-him-on
QalandarFan
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- Jul 14, 2016
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- 8,719
Nah love Smith, but for me it’s ABD then Virat.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,855
Not done much in this series
Now run out for 10
Now run out for 10
tyron_woodley
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2019
- Runs
- 6,322
still is the best. t20s don't count.
tyron_woodley
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2019
- Runs
- 6,322
smith is the best ever.
Maybe if kohli gives up t20 like smithy then he can match Smith's level potentially I feel. Kohli will never give up ipl t20. too much mullah there. Fair enough though.
Anyway smith and probably even kohli are better than almost all past greats. Smith is just a freak in tests. Unreal genius. Kohli is just slightly inferior. Kohli can retire as number 2 greatest ever after smith if he has 2 or 3 more good away series'.
Maybe if kohli gives up t20 like smithy then he can match Smith's level potentially I feel. Kohli will never give up ipl t20. too much mullah there. Fair enough though.
Anyway smith and probably even kohli are better than almost all past greats. Smith is just a freak in tests. Unreal genius. Kohli is just slightly inferior. Kohli can retire as number 2 greatest ever after smith if he has 2 or 3 more good away series'.
Ab Fan
Senior Test Player
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2015
- Runs
- 27,550
In tests, yes.
All formats combined, its between Tendulkar and Kohli.
Among the best test batsmen that I ever saw,
Smith
Tendulkar/Lara
Ponting
Kohli
Sangakkara/Kallis/Dravid/S Waugh
All formats combined, its between Tendulkar and Kohli.
Among the best test batsmen that I ever saw,
Smith
Tendulkar/Lara
Ponting
Kohli
Sangakkara/Kallis/Dravid/S Waugh
Mercurial
Local Club Regular
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2018
- Runs
- 1,418
After Saeed Anwar, he is the one batsman for whom I can pay to watch him bat for 50 overs.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,855
Cricket Australia on Thursday revealed that Steve Smith is following “concussion protocols” which are crucial for his return to cricket in the IPL and asserted that it is “not willing” to compromise with the fitness of the Rajasthan Royals skipper.
CA said it is working in tandem with RR to ensure his smooth return to competitive action after missing the entire England ODI series due to the concussion suffered during training.
“Cricket Australia has strict protocols when it comes to head impacts and concussions and, as we’ve seen over the last 12 months, we’re not willing to compromise on those,” CA’s head of sports science Alex Kountouris said in a statement.
“Steve is making progress and working with our medical team through the concussion protocols required to return to play,” he added.
Smith along with other England and Australia cricketers will arrive in Dubai on Thursday night (UAE time) and undergo a six-day quarantine which means they will all miss action till September 23. RR’s first match is on September 22 against Chennai Super Kings.
Smith was hit on the head during a net session prior to the first ODI in Manchester and since then recovered well but not enough to play a competitive cricket.
Kountouris said the franchise and CA will be working together to monitor Smith’s fitness upon his arrival in the UAE.
Smith had also endured a concussion during last year’s Ashes game at the Lord’s and subsequently missed a Test match.
“The conservative management of Steve through this injury is consistent with our approach to put the player’s welfare first, as we did with him during the Ashes last year,” Kountouris said.
The former physio, who has had a long association with the Sri Lankan national team followed by Australians, hinted that CA will not like Smith to be rushed into a match situation.
“We are striving to create environments where players trust that our medical team will always put their welfare first and therefore speak openly with them, whether this is about concussion, other injuries or mental health,” he stated.
Kountouris said that a lot of research has gone into studying concussions and its related effects.
“We have done a lot of research over the last few years to better understand head impacts and concussions specific to cricket, and that has helped up in how we manage our players.
“We place the welfare of the player before the game because we strongly believe that is what’s best for the player.”
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...in-ipl-2020/story-QhkEJmH0c9qXAJyokIcukM.html
CA said it is working in tandem with RR to ensure his smooth return to competitive action after missing the entire England ODI series due to the concussion suffered during training.
“Cricket Australia has strict protocols when it comes to head impacts and concussions and, as we’ve seen over the last 12 months, we’re not willing to compromise on those,” CA’s head of sports science Alex Kountouris said in a statement.
“Steve is making progress and working with our medical team through the concussion protocols required to return to play,” he added.
Smith along with other England and Australia cricketers will arrive in Dubai on Thursday night (UAE time) and undergo a six-day quarantine which means they will all miss action till September 23. RR’s first match is on September 22 against Chennai Super Kings.
Smith was hit on the head during a net session prior to the first ODI in Manchester and since then recovered well but not enough to play a competitive cricket.
Kountouris said the franchise and CA will be working together to monitor Smith’s fitness upon his arrival in the UAE.
Smith had also endured a concussion during last year’s Ashes game at the Lord’s and subsequently missed a Test match.
“The conservative management of Steve through this injury is consistent with our approach to put the player’s welfare first, as we did with him during the Ashes last year,” Kountouris said.
The former physio, who has had a long association with the Sri Lankan national team followed by Australians, hinted that CA will not like Smith to be rushed into a match situation.
“We are striving to create environments where players trust that our medical team will always put their welfare first and therefore speak openly with them, whether this is about concussion, other injuries or mental health,” he stated.
Kountouris said that a lot of research has gone into studying concussions and its related effects.
“We have done a lot of research over the last few years to better understand head impacts and concussions specific to cricket, and that has helped up in how we manage our players.
“We place the welfare of the player before the game because we strongly believe that is what’s best for the player.”
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...in-ipl-2020/story-QhkEJmH0c9qXAJyokIcukM.html
Bhaijaan
Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2011
- Runs
- 64,365
- Post of the Week
- 1
Phenomenal test batsman.
But in the era that he exists, he will never be regarded the best until he cracks both major formats or at least one of the other two formats.
In 1970s, 1980s he could be regarded one of the greatest based on his test statistics but not in 2020.
Virat Kohli towers over him in this era with his overall achievements and it's a fact even Australian commentators and analysts publicly admit with no reservations.
If Smith wants to he recognised a Top 10 level batsman by the time he retires he must have the following record:-
160 tests >> 14,000 test runs @ 55+
350 ODIs >> 13,000 runs @ 50+
If he wants to be recognised a Top 5 level batsman, he must do even better than above mentioned.
Clearly a lot of work yet to be done.
Greatness is not easy. It comes with a price
But in the era that he exists, he will never be regarded the best until he cracks both major formats or at least one of the other two formats.
In 1970s, 1980s he could be regarded one of the greatest based on his test statistics but not in 2020.
Virat Kohli towers over him in this era with his overall achievements and it's a fact even Australian commentators and analysts publicly admit with no reservations.
If Smith wants to he recognised a Top 10 level batsman by the time he retires he must have the following record:-
160 tests >> 14,000 test runs @ 55+
350 ODIs >> 13,000 runs @ 50+
If he wants to be recognised a Top 5 level batsman, he must do even better than above mentioned.
Clearly a lot of work yet to be done.
Greatness is not easy. It comes with a price
I generally agree with this. My only issue is with the numbers. No one has those numbers, or is even close. No one has achieved the test things or the ODI thing seperately. Expecting Smith to achieve this to be top 10 is laughable. It is unlikely that he will play 160 tests, and impossible that he will play 350 ODI's. I think that 10,000 in both with ODI average > 48, test average > 54 would be more fair to become top 10- you cannot expect him to do something no one has ever done, in both forms of the game
Also, saying Kohli 'towers' above Smith is inaccurate. Smith is clearly better in test cricket, and even it ODI cricket he is significantly more clutch and reliable in pressure situations
Edit: just saw the top 5 thing. That is ridiculous. He has to do even better than what no player has come close to achieving. Basically, he has to be in the conversation with Kohli, Sachin, Viv as the ODI GOAT and a clear 2nd of all time test batsmen. Just to get 2nd?
That is ridiculous
Last edited:
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,855
Rajathan Royals captain Steve Smith has been cleared of concussion ahead of the franchises’ first game of the ongoing season of Indian Premier League against Chennai Super Kings which takes place on Tuesday. Smith had missed out three ODIs against England in the UK due to concussion related issues, and there were doubts whether he will be fit to feature in Royals’ first game of the season. (IPL 2020 Full Coverage)
Rajasthan head coach Andrew McDonald squashed the rumours regarding Smith’s absence from the team in the match against CSK.
“Fantastic news that Steve is available. It’s fantastic especially on the back of some setbacks back in the UK. It’s obviously great to have your skipper available for the first game as I’ve said before we are in really good hands. In terms of the rest of the squad, we couldn’t be happier with their preparation. We’ve got what we needed, having been here nice and early to get our preparation going on the back of the long lay-off,” McDonald said in a RR press release.
“We have got the bases covered and have some really good depth in the squad and really looking forward to seeing what it looks like in a real competitive match against CSK. They had a fantastic first game, they’re one game into the tournament which is a slight advantage when you come out against the team that’s already played and performed. So, we’ll definitely have our work cut out and really looking forward to what our guys can bring to the table and we’re really excited about what the journey presents,” he added.
Meanwhile, Smith said that he is eager to return to the field. “Yeah obviously missed the last three ODIs in England. Been in Dubai for a couple of days now with some good rest and then got into a bit of running. Yesterday I did a bit of zig-zag running, which is part of the protocols to pass to get back to play and today I’ll have a hit in the nets,” Smith said.
“Hopefully, pull up well from the hit and be good to play tomorrow,” Smith further said.
“The guys have been here for a month now, and from all reports, the training’s been magnificent. It’s been good to catch up with both the old and the new Royals, we’re in a good place and have got an outstanding squad this year, really strong, and we’re ready to get going.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...oni-led-csk/story-lNLs5EYGbaCMkjZw7WjhWJ.html
Rajasthan head coach Andrew McDonald squashed the rumours regarding Smith’s absence from the team in the match against CSK.
“Fantastic news that Steve is available. It’s fantastic especially on the back of some setbacks back in the UK. It’s obviously great to have your skipper available for the first game as I’ve said before we are in really good hands. In terms of the rest of the squad, we couldn’t be happier with their preparation. We’ve got what we needed, having been here nice and early to get our preparation going on the back of the long lay-off,” McDonald said in a RR press release.
“We have got the bases covered and have some really good depth in the squad and really looking forward to seeing what it looks like in a real competitive match against CSK. They had a fantastic first game, they’re one game into the tournament which is a slight advantage when you come out against the team that’s already played and performed. So, we’ll definitely have our work cut out and really looking forward to what our guys can bring to the table and we’re really excited about what the journey presents,” he added.
Meanwhile, Smith said that he is eager to return to the field. “Yeah obviously missed the last three ODIs in England. Been in Dubai for a couple of days now with some good rest and then got into a bit of running. Yesterday I did a bit of zig-zag running, which is part of the protocols to pass to get back to play and today I’ll have a hit in the nets,” Smith said.
“Hopefully, pull up well from the hit and be good to play tomorrow,” Smith further said.
“The guys have been here for a month now, and from all reports, the training’s been magnificent. It’s been good to catch up with both the old and the new Royals, we’re in a good place and have got an outstanding squad this year, really strong, and we’re ready to get going.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...oni-led-csk/story-lNLs5EYGbaCMkjZw7WjhWJ.html
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,855
Not many can do this.....
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King_Kohli
First Class Captain
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2019
- Runs
- 5,754
He saving runs for Border - Gavaskar series.
It will be against Indian trundlers at home..so nothing great about it. Not able to buy a run at world stage in IPL is definitely a concern.
Lurker_Ind
First Class Player
- Joined
- May 12, 2015
- Runs
- 2,847
He is not a basher. He is under too much pressure to score fast. While playing big shots, he is losing his balance.
King_Kohli
First Class Captain
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2019
- Runs
- 5,754
He is trying to hard to be T20 player , he should play anchor role like how kohli is playing.
Singing hardly and throwing bat everywhere not his cup of tea.
Next time RR should try for Kane Williamson to lead.
Hasan123
Test Star
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2016
- Runs
- 38,432
He is having an awful season. He needs to simplify his game. Play the anchor role which he has done well for Australia in the last year in T20s.
tyron_woodley
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2019
- Runs
- 6,322
Indian? Trundlers? Lol ?
Pakistan trundlers yes. India have good quality world class fast bowlers.
Rayyman
Test Debutant
- Joined
- May 5, 2014
- Runs
- 15,182
Hella underrated as a white ball batter.
Gullycricket
First Class Star
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 3,937
Greatest of the decade. Still can't believe where he started this decade and where he is destined to reach. Humble. Unlike that fake cheap loudmouth Virat kilo
Wish we had a fake cheap loudmouth in our team.
Ab Fan
Senior Test Player
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2015
- Runs
- 27,550
He is good LOI player but nothing extraordinary. Will play few such knocks here and there and end with 6000 ODI runs and AVG 42 at S/R of 87.
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