Let’s rewind. It is a few days before the first Test match against Pakistan at Lords, 2010. A couple of guys meet up and start talking about the cricket, discussing who should be playing for the Aussies.
One of them says, ‘Hey, any of you heard of Steve Smith?’
A couple shake their heads, others nod… no-one is too enthusiastic about his chances.
Steve Smith ends up playing the match, mainly bowls and gets a couple of handy wickets. He plays the rest of the series before being dropped later in the year, so end of story right? That guy was wrong about his potential.
Fast forward. The Test series against India in the 2014-15 season has just finished, the same group of guys are celebrating after a 2-0 series win, sharing a couple of beers. And one guy, who got put down last time he mentioned a certain somebody, said with a massive grin on his face, ‘Anyone not heard of Steve Smith?’
Smith has had a fantastic 2014-15. To date, it has included six Test centuries, with a top score of 192. To top it all off he’s currently ranked as the fourth best Test batsman in the world. He’s even been able to reproduce this purple patch in coloured clothing, with three centuries and three fifties.
But in which game was he at his best? In which game was he at his most destructive? I couldn’t settle on one, so I chose two.
2. India versus Australia third Test MCG, 2014 – 192
The scores were 2-115. Mohammed Shami had just snared the wicket of Chris Rogers after him and Shane Watson had recovered with a 115-run partnership following David Warner’s dismissal for a duck. Enter Smith, exit Watson, Shaun Marsh stayed for a little while, sharing a 69-run partnership before being dismissed.
Burns came in, exited 30 runs later. Then followed Brad Haddin (55), Mitchell Johnson (28), Ryan Harris (74) and Nathan Lyon (11). All the while Smith, the ultimate professional, was at the other end, picking up the ones and twos and the occasional four, quietly accumulating 192 runs off 304 balls at a strike rate of 62.95.
I love this innings for a couple of reasons. The first reason, being his ability to build batting partnerships, encouraging and spurring his teammates on.
The second and more important reason is I love his ability to bat for long periods of time. Smith was out there for almost four hours. He was able to steady the ship every time a wicket fell, eight to be exact, while he was at the other end.
Not once did he quaver. Only right at the end when he was trying to get quick runs in search of his double hundred was he out, while playing with the number 11 might I add.
1. South Africa versus Australia third ODI, Manuka Oval – 73*
A lot of people will question this. Steve Smith’s scored three other centuries in the Test series against India, scored 162 not out in Adelaide. He even struck a few triple figure scores in ODIs, so this surely can’t be his best performance!
All of those other games he played well, sometimes very well. But his 192 at the MCG was picked for two of the three criteria I listed earlier. It was not picked for Smith’s destructiveness, nor for his glorious drives or flicks for four, not even his sky high sixes or his unorthodox shot selection.
However this innings at Manuka was picked for the above reasons. Scoring 73 runs from 55 balls, at a strike rate of 132, makes this an innings you wouldn’t forget. It demonstrated Smith’s talent, this game was when he was at his best and at his most destructive.
These two innings are massive contrasts, one at a strike rate of 62, the other 132. One, almost a double hundred, this one under triple figures. But there are a couple of other reasons why I love this one more. Smith didn’t get one six in this innings, but he was able to flick the white ball to the fence eight times, which accounts for just under half his runs – meaning he also ran hard.
What I love was that Smith was able to put his foot down and dominate – but not go out. He was able to do donuts, spins, skids and not be caught. Smith was able to perform to perfection the cheekiest unorthodox shots, slicing, cutting, pulling them for four with grace and power, not to mention his fancy foot skills. He gave nothing to South Africa, giving them no chances.
How about you Roarers? Are you going to give me a chance? Have any tips or suggestions?
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
Check out some of the short-arm pull shots from Rocky Flintoff!
Harshal Patel was not a happy man!
David Lord has been remembered as an icon of Australian sports journalism following his death, aged 84. The renowned writer and broadcaster was an…
Sign the man up for a contract next season!
RCB have suffered a massive HEAD-ACHE after Travis Head smashed the fastest century by an SRH player in just 39 balls, as they amassed…
A brutal century by Travis Head has blasted Sunrisers Hyderabad back into the Indian Premier League play-off places in another match for bowlers to…
