Australian batting maestro Steven Smith scripted a monumental chapter in cricket history on Tuesday, eclipsing the iconic Sir Don Bradman to become the highest run-scorer against England across all formats of the game. This historic feat was achieved during a masterful unbeaten century on Day 3 of the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
A New King in the Oldest Rivalry
Standing in as captain, Smith notched up his 37th Test hundred, a milestone he reached with a delicate three runs to fine leg. More significantly, this innings propelled his total run tally against England to 5085 runs, officially moving past the legendary Bradman's previous benchmark of 5028 runs against the same opponent. This achievement cements Smith's status as a modern-day great, particularly in the context of the storied Ashes rivalry.
Where Smith Stands in the Pantheon of Greats
With this record, Steven Smith now finds himself in an exclusive club, sitting behind only two Indian legends in the all-time list for most international runs against a single opposition. The top of this prestigious chart is occupied by Sachin Tendulkar, who amassed 6707 runs against Australia, followed by Virat Kohli with 5551 runs against Australia. Smith's 5085 runs against England places him third on this global list, a testament to his remarkable consistency and dominance.
The century in Sydney was Smith's 13th in the Ashes, placing him second only to Bradman's seemingly untouchable record of 19 Ashes hundreds. His affinity for the SCG is also remarkable, where he now boasts 1225 runs at a staggering average of 72.05, including five centuries—a record only bettered at the venue by former captain Ricky Ponting.
Impact on the Match and Broader Legacy
Smith's commanding knock of 129 not out at stumps was instrumental in pushing Australia into a formidable position. Building on the platform laid by Travis Head's blistering 163, Smith guided the team to a lead exceeding 100 runs, tightening their grip on the match and the series. This innings also had personal milestone significance, as he moved past Indian great Rahul Dravid to climb to seventh on the all-time list of Test century-makers. With 37 Test hundreds, he is now just one shy of Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara.
Speaking after the day's play, Smith credited the SCG pitch for suiting his style of play and lauded Head for his explosive contribution at the top of the order. Comfortable in front of a home crowd and on a familiar pitch, Smith once again demonstrated why he is considered one of the finest batters of his generation, especially when facing England.
Key Records Highlighted:
- Most runs vs a single opponent (International Cricket): Sachin Tendulkar (6707 vs AUS), Virat Kohli (5551 vs AUS), Steven Smith (5085* vs ENG).
- Most Ashes centuries: Don Bradman (19), Steven Smith (13).
- Most Test centuries (active): Joe Root (41), Steven Smith (37).
The record-breaking day in Sydney not only reinforced Australia's dominance in the ongoing series but also etched Steven Smith's name indelibly in the annals of cricketing history, placing him above the sport's most revered figure, Don Bradman, in one of the game's most celebrated rivalries.
