Steve Smith has two centuries and averages 48 since the fourth Test of the 2019 Ashes – far from the performances we have become accustomed to from the former captain.
So, how did it get to this point?
Look no further than Lords 2019 – the first step in Smith’s diminished output as a Test batter.
Smith is in the midst of another elegant innings, but is suddenly brought to his knees.
The bouncer from Jofra Archer that struck Smith on the neck caused a delayed concussion and meant he needed a substitute batter.
That batter? Marnus Labuschagne: the inadvertent reason for his decline in form since that day.
Labuschagne, a five-Test rookie at the time, became the first-ever concussion substitute in Test cricket history and promptly scored 59 in the second innings of the match as Smith’s replacement, setting him on the path to become the current ICC No.1-ranked Test batter.
But while Australia has revelled in Labuschagne’s run-scoring prowess, his stardom has restricted Smith, who according to ESPN Cricinfo averages almost 15 runs less in Tests since that game (48.46).
Smith was averaging 63.41 post-Lords – putting him already among the greats – but his average since has prompted many to question what’s happened to the star’s form.
It’s clear now there were a series of sliding doors moments that have led to this damning stat, all of which encapsulate Smith and Labuschagne’s role reversal.
Scoring 74 and 80 batting at Smith’s usual position of No.4 as his replacement for the third Ashes Test, Labuschagne gave Australia a welcome selection headache.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Smith’s imminent return meant a top-order batter had to be omitted, but Labuschagne’s undeniable form rendered him safe from removal.
The axe fell on No.3 Usman Khawaja, with Labuschagne leaping up a spot for the next game, while Smith resumed his place at 4.
How pivotal this move would be can only be measured in retrospect.
Labuschagne had batted at positions 5, 6 and 7 in his opening five Tests, but by assuming the No.3 spot, gave himself a golden future opportunity.
Following The Ashes, Australia’s next Test series was against Pakistan at home – games that completed the Smith/Labuschagne switch.
Labuschagne scored 185 and 162 in the two Tests; both substantial wins that saw Australia only needing to bat once.
Meanwhile, Smith, coming in at the 101st and 84th over respectively (having arrived at the crease in the tenth over on average in the 2019 Ashes), scored 4 and 36, significant failures for his lofty standards.
Labuschagne’s dominance in these two matches, where his position at first drop allowed him to come in early in the match and capitalise on a week Pakistan bowling line-up, subsequently saw Smith bat at a time where the expected run-rate was higher than usual – not suitable for his traditional batting style.
This short Test series entrenched Labuschagne in the team and allowed him to overtake Smith as the star batter in Australia’s side.
And the stats from then on outline how.
Labuschagne averages 63.05 with six hundreds since replacing Smith at Lords and currently sits as the world’s best batter.
In that same period, Smith has registered 12 scores of less than 20, in 25 innings.
For reference, from the beginning of 2014 to the Lords Test in 2019, Smith scored fewer than 20 only 20 times in 69 innings, highlighting his significant drop in form.
Furthermore, when Labuschagne has scored a century, Smith has made less than his career average 66 per cent of the time.
Labuschagne’s superior average is perhaps also due to the fact he has played six more innings throughout this period, with his success and superiority in the batting order meaning Smith’s services haven’t been required, consequently subduing his overall output.
While Smith’s form certainly hasn’t been terrible since the emergence of Labuschagne, who knew it would affect his form so much?
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Stop trying to see racism where it doesn’t exist.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
He will do well on foreign pitches . I've noticed the Aussie pitches are just bouncier and quicker for him and pink ball can be harder to pick up at night . he has indicated moving from red bounce at Gabba to pink ball dn and back to red ball takes more adjustment for him . by and large he bats well at scg where it is less bouncy . I suspect he can do really well in India and uk coming up and may be able to get on top of the windies at home this summer .
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Jeff will be hard for smith to replicate 2019 and get anywhere close but he will do well I think . my concern will be who will open yet again as warner shouldn't go he was abysmal there and is a liability in uk
Pierro
Roar Rookie
to miss smith in his prime for close to 18 plus months was an absolute shocker . We were all denied of seeing one of the best in his prime and it will cost his average a bit sadly long term I think . his ashes series in 19 though, I’ll never forget it I don’t think I’ve seen one man influence a series so much in my life with the bat. england just could not get the guy out and had to resort to bodyline tactics and knock him out to get him off the pitch although that then bought labuschsnge In to the side who was fantastic as well
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Christo Aussie pitches are much quicker and bouncy , smith to me now looks more comfortable overseas . I was at lord’s when archer was bowling at his head and upper body it was as close to bodyline as youll ever see and probably one of the most captivating but nasty days of cricket ive seen . England couldn’t get smith out and it was nasty stuff by bowling at his head . it’s had an impact as Wagner and co deployed good tactics at him the series after in aus but he is batting amazingly well in Sri Lanka now all be it has only had one opportunity so far. Think the slower foreign pitches and scg will still suit him immensely but Gabba , lord’s, Adelaide DN pink ball etc are where he can find trouble with pace and bounce and specific tactics the other sides use there from what I’ve seen.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
smith has struggled more on Aussie pitches and the DN tests than overseas tours more recently and that may be a symptom of the change in pace and bounce and pink ball conditions in aus . The thing is he just hasn’t been able to play much overseas during covid and he continually seems to shine overseas since the UK ashes but limited opportunities and limited cricket don’t help . He also copped a few great deliveries too in some of the home series from memory but matt’s assessment of tactics to him with a stacked on side and also bowling short ones to his head since the archer incident at lord’s (which was as nasty as you’ll ever see) also had some influence . He seems to like the slower pace of foreign wickets now from what I am beginning to observe but we need to see more home and away cricket to assess that this coming year. his 145 not out here seems to indicate that theory may be on song . He tends to do best at scg recently too . some of the Adelaide DN tests in recent years have been difficult to bat at and I recall smith saying he finds it a little tricky to transition from red to pink ball and back to red ball.
Mohammad Zaheer
Guest
Smith or Kohli was praised just because they belong to richest boards. Kane Williamson and Root were praised next level. To me Babar Azam is the best test player as well as all-format player. No doubt Root/KW/Smith is good but Kohli or Pant is just an exaggeration at best. Now we showed what level Babar can play to Australia and I'm sure more teams are scared to face at test level. I think Kohli last scored a century in 2019? Smith in 2019 too if I am correct. Rizwan is another coolest keeper batsman who can play all format games and he will surpass not just Dhoni or Pant records but also Sangakara or Gilchrist records.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
I suspect Not even Smith (or Marnus himself) knew just how good Marnus would be. Smith must have had the opportunity to step up to number three. But he didn’t take it. And for good reason - he’d done so well at 4. But all of a sudden Smith found himself in the sheds watching Marnus for hours snd hours out in the middle…. Waiting. And Smith doesn’t wait well. The game had often changed by the time got out there. I remember the home series Vs Pakistan and NZ. he hardly got a chance with Marnus and Warner batting so well. I also think smith’s technique relies a lot on his superb eye. And as you get older that “eye” goes. I think we see that with smith now. He’s gone from by far and away the best in the world to “just” very very good.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
And he is yet to hit a century outside of Australia.
HR
Roar Rookie
He hit Jonathan Trott a couple of times and hastened the end of his career. Arguably he did the same for Pietersen, who didn't play a test again after the 13/14 Ashes. He concussed Ryan McLaren too.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Also I2I Labu himself has come back to the field a bit due to better bowling plans.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Yes. It has been an amazing run glut for him. Wonder how he will go back in the UK next year?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Yes indeed he has. From his first test ton to his 26th was 59 tests. Like Renato Carini I am not of the school of churning out the big scores constantly is the only form of greatness, but for those who won’t bend on Bradman being unquestionably the greatest, then those 59 test from August 2013 to August 2019 minus one year is statistically the closest anyone has come to Bradman’s ratio of tests per century.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I've been to Galle a couple of times, but just day visits for chores and the like when staying on the beach further east. Looking forward to spending some time in the city this trip.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Smith's had an exceptional run.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Also, Australia went to stumps on day 3 in the 3rd innings of the first match at Edgbaston at 3 for +34.
Clear as mud
Guest
yes. and that is despite his incredible run of ODI form in 2020-21, and the brilliance of his counter attack in those 2019 Ashes. I mean, we were 8-122 in that first dig, He had 42 off 110. Finished with 144 off 219. Travis Head stuff there. He rattled along at almost 70 in the second dig, as we went at 4 to set up the target nicely. Lords - stand and deliver stuff. Maybe it's his eyes? Should do a Mike Smith and get some specs?
Nick
Roar Guru
Le Grand Galle. Had to stay a few times for work - timed one trip to coincide with a test. Short walk, and f'ing nice. Amari Galle is also worth it about 5k away, but easy 20 minutes by motocab. All I'll say is spend generously, everywhere in Sri Lanka. The poor sods really could use any coin that they can get their hands on.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
It mentioned Archer as a Bowler, I don’t remember it talking is his skin tone. Was anyone concussed by Johnson, I can’t remember if anyone hit in head from him?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The Zeitgeist moved from one Gemini to the next; simples really. Like when Liberal's Deputy was changed from Bishop to Frydenburg. The person changed but not the birthdate.