Australian batting maestro Steve Smith etched his name deeper into cricketing folklore on Day 3 of the fifth Ashes Test, crafting an unbeaten century that propelled him into an elite echelon of the game's legends. His masterful knock of 129 not out at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, saw him close in on the immortal Sir Don Bradman in Ashes annals and surpass Indian great Rahul Dravid in a significant career milestone.
Joining Bradman in Exclusive Ashes Pantheon
Walking in at number five, Smith took control of Australia's reply to England's first-innings total of 384. On a placid SCG pitch, he built on the platform laid by Travis Head's blistering 163. Smith's innings was a blend of patience and controlled aggression, guiding Australia to a commanding position at 518 for 7 (later updated to 519/7) by stumps.
This hundred was Smith's 13th in Ashes cricket, a staggering achievement that places him second only to Sir Don Bradman, who scored 19. Furthermore, Smith's Ashes run tally now stands at 3,682 runs, again placing him directly behind The Don's iconic tally of 5,028 runs in cricket's oldest rivalry.
Surpassing The Wall: A New Peak in Test Centuries
The Sydney century marked a pivotal personal landmark for Smith—it was his 37th Test hundred. In reaching this figure, he moved past the legendary Indian batsman Rahul Dravid, who finished his illustrious career with 36 Test centuries. This ascent places Smith sixth on the all-time list of most Test hundreds.
The elite group ahead of him now comprises some of the greatest to have ever played the game:
- Sachin Tendulkar (India) - 51
- Jacques Kallis (South Africa) - 45
- Ricky Ponting (Australia) - 41
- Joe Root (England) - 41
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) - 38
This was also Smith's first century of the 2025-26 Ashes series, underlining his ability to deliver on the biggest stage when his team needed it most.
Context and Consequences of the SCG Masterclass
Smith's innings has effectively put Australia in the driver's seat in the final Test of the series. His partnership with Head and the lower order has given the hosts a substantial lead, putting immense pressure on the English batting lineup in their second innings.
Beyond the immediate match context, Smith's continued assault on record books cements his status as one of the finest Test batsmen of the modern era. Drawing comparisons with Bradman is the highest praise in cricket, and Smith's consistent Ashes performances make such parallels increasingly valid. His journey past Dravid, one of India's most revered technicians, further solidifies his global legacy.
As the Ashes series draws to a close in Sydney, Steve Smith has provided a timeless reminder of his class, hunger for runs, and his relentless pursuit of cricketing greatness, inching closer to the ultimate benchmark set by Sir Don Bradman himself.
