After falling cheaply on day two of the third Ashes Test, Steve Smith is in the midst of his biggest form slump since 2013.
Although it’s hardly time to sound the alarm bells for the world’s third-ranked Test batter, Smith has fallen well short of his lofty standards since his awe-inspiring efforts in the previous Ashes series in England two years ago.
He has scored just one Test century in his past 13 Tests, which is his leanest return since he notched his first ton for Australia eight years ago, in his 12th match in the baggy green.
Smith fell for 16 late in the morning session on day two of the Boxing Day Test against England, when he inside-edged veteran seamer James Anderson onto his stumps.
The 32-year-old vice-captain went close to triple figures while standing in as skipper in the previous Test in Adelaide, where he was dismissed for 93. He made six in the second innings last week after scoring just 12 in the first Test in Brisbane.
His 131 against India at Sydney last summer remains his only ton in the 12 Tests since the 2019 Ashes, when he tore the old enemy apart with 774 runs in four matches, averaging 110.57 as he amassed three centuries and as many half-centuries from seven innings.
Smith’s career average rose to its peak of 64.81 after the fourth Test of that series, but it has dropped to 60.85 after Monday’s dismissal.
In the 12 Tests, all at home against Pakistan, New Zealand, India and England over the past two years, he has tallied a modest 694 runs at 36.53.
Smith has feasted on England over the years – he has scored 11 of his 27 Test hundreds from his 30 Ashes contests, averaging 62.27.
In the previous Ashes series in Australia, he racked up a Bradmanesque run of 687 at 137.4, including three centuries; highlighted by his majestic 239 at Perth.
From the 65 Tests against all-comers from his first ton at The Oval against England in 2013 to his most recent one in Sydney at the start of this year, he averaged a century every 2.4 matches.
Leading into the 2021-22 series, he was not able to get any first-class cricket under his belt after representing Australia in their T20 World Cup win in the UAE.
After all-rounder Ben Stokes peppered Smith with some short-pitched bowling on the seaming Melbourne wicket, Anderson cashed in with a well-placed off-cutter as Smith lurched forward to drive.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said on Fox Cricket getting Smith cheaply on Monday was vital for the touring team’s chances of limiting Australia’s first-innings lead and remaining a chance to steal the Test, after they were bowled out for 185 on the first day.
“Jimmy Anderson gets the ball to nip back and Steve Smith’s just trapped on his crease. A bit unfortunate with the inside edge but you can see Joe Root’s celebration there,” he said.
“It’s a huge moment when you see the back of Steve Smith.”
With nightwatchman Nathan Lyon (10) and newly minted world No.1 batter Marnus Labuschagne (1) already back in the pavilion, Smith’s dismissal gave England a hope of limiting the middle-order damage on day two.
With Travis Head (27) and Marcus Harris (76) nicking off before Australia had passed England’s total, the match is now set up for a fourth-innings run-chase.
Australia will likely need Smith to produce the goods on a wearing MCG wicket to wrap up the win and seal a series win.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I guess not.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
You can't make a roaring redundant "NO!" call, exaggerated leaves and post leave shenanigans if you are busy scoring runs.
Linphoma
Guest
Which is all the more reason the openers need to shore it up and have Marnie and Smudge coming in at 1 or 2 for 150+.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Winning the Ashes is the main thing.
Unders
Roar Pro
I think it's good they're slow; it wears down England's attack. They're already quite uninventive when it's not swinging, so wearing them down into the dirt is what Labuschagne and Smith do well.
Unders
Roar Pro
Very true; he doesn't look comfortable at all against Wood. I think Jimmy also had his number in the 2015 Ashes series when the pitches weren't London roads. Smith learnt from averaging 33 apart from the Oval and Lord's when he became immense from that series onwards.
Unders
Roar Pro
At the end of the day, Kohli, Smith and co having a form slump isn't something absurd. Every legend goes through these periods (Cook, Clarke, Ponting, Sachin) ; their record is quite impeccable if they were to retire today, both with 27 test tons. Given Smith has dominated the past 3 Ashes series, it's probably about time he had some lack of success against England. Plus this slump will be cushioned by the fact Australia are about to win the Ashes.
JGK
Roar Guru
That’s why we should split them with Head.
Rob
Guest
Smith has been playing 20/20 cricket of late and that has probably been his and Australia’s priority. Smith was vigilant at leaving that ball in the past.
Mankyfoot
Roar Rookie
I’d concur completely. Labs determination is admirable but he’s had so much luck go his way, he’d eventually nick one like today. Striving to save your wicket is admirable but they’re meant to be the top batsman with the shot selection to go with it.
Marty
Roar Rookie
For a while there Smiths freakish hand eye coordination meant that he was able to prosper batting in a way that has a lot of technical flaws ie walking across his stumps and trying to play the ball through mid wicket from his off stump. There’s no way you would teach a junior cricketer to bat that way, and for good reason. What we are seeing now is that he is indeed human like the rest of us and if he doesn’t bat with a correct technique he will get found out.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
The most concerning thing for both Smith and Labu right now is their scoring rate. They are supposed to be dominant stroke players, but they are batting like stodgy run accumulators in the Geoff Boycott/Jacques Kallis mode.
Mankyfoot
Roar Rookie
I would say it’s a slump. But only because of his normal lofty standards. His hand eye coordination seems shot and now when he is walking across the wicket he seems so vulnerable to nicking or hitting his off stump. I’d like him just to be confident in playing the offside and trust his technique a bit more.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
If he can handle it. He failed today in the face of the biggest pressure he's faced in the series. Hard to be too critical though because literally nobody can do it every time.
JGK
Roar Guru
Head
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Not a silly idea at all, but who would bat 4?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
26 tons in 56 tests followed by 1 in 13 is a bit of a contrast for sure. Hardly a slump though when he's made a ton and a 90 in last five tests. More a lull.
Malo
Guest
Maybe all that rubbish him and Marnis are doing just leads to a lack of focus? Every ball he faces is so intense.
JGK
Roar Guru
Smith should move to 5.