Steve Smith is one of the greatest batters of his generation. He does not have much to prove in his glittering cricket career. With 9514 runs in 187 innings, 32 centuries and 40 half-centuries centuries, he has been the anchor for the domination of Australia in the Test format. A few days back, there was a ripple in the media when it was told that Steve Smith had expressed a desire to open the innings after the retirement of David Warner.
At thirty-four years of age, Steve Smith looks to undergo a radical change in his approach to the game that one rarely sees from cricketers. Steve Smith is looking to reinvent himself as a cricketer. He does not have to. But his desire to open shows his cricketing brain working out how he can further add value for his team. Most players would have been looking at keeping their position secure till retirement.
Unstoppable Steve Smith
We wish the best for Steve Smith and hope that Australian team management gives him an opportunity at the top. In cricket, it is the top-order batters who score big. They have the time to play a long innings as all the wickets are intact. They can build an innings at their pace and convenience as there is enough time in Test cricket. Do not be surprised if we see Steve Smith break the record of Brian Lara’s highest Test score of 400.
His previous highest was 239 against arch-rival England. He has the temperament to score big with his penchant and ability to bat for long. His eternal love for batting is testified by the number of runs he scored in a career spanning fifteen years.
He will be around for some time. Steve Smith wants to etch his name in cricket history. He will.
“Don’t be surprised if he breaks Lara’s 400 record because he’s that good” – Clarke backs Smith to open the innings for Australia in Tests in a podcast for ESPN.