In the second Ashes 2023 Test at iconic Lord’s, Steven Smith produced a stunning knock from his bat and guided Australia to a 43-run victory. The veteran played a 110-run knock in the first innings of the match and received the Player of the Match award in his team’s second victory in the competition. The right-handed batter will look to be more confident in the third Test to be played at Headingley, to help his side emerge victorious and take an unassailable lead.
For Smith, the Headingley Test is going to be special as the veteran will mark his 100th appearance in red-ball cricket. Keeping the importance of the upcoming game in his mind, Smith will look to make it huge for himself and his team, producing a performance that could help his side vanquish the hosts. In his 13-year-old Test career, the star Aussie batter has played a lot of incredible knocks. Prior to his 100th Test, it’s time to recount some of his extraordinary innings in the largest format of the game.
Here are the five best Test knocks of Steven Smith’s career
5. 138 vs New Zealand in 2015
Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Before the arrival of summer in 2015, New Zealand toured Australia for three Tests. In the first game, they lost to the Aussie by 208 runs at the Gabba but in the next contest at the West Australia Cricket Association (WACA) ground, the Kiwis looked confident. Replying to Australia’s 559 in the first innings, New Zealand put up 624 runs on the board.
Following the first-inning action, Australia had to be at their best in the second innings to save the game. Openers Joe Burns and David Warner came out to bat but the former got dismissed on a duck. After Burns, David Warner also fell under pressure and gave his wicket to Trent Boult on 24.
With the fall of both openers, Australia were required to do something extraordinary in the contest. This time, Steven Smith came out to rescue Australia with his 138-run innings. Along with Adam Voges, he stitched a 224-run partnership that helped the Aussies to reach the score of 385. In the end, the match concluded in a stalemate but Smith spoiled New Zealand’s plans of levelling the series.
4. 109 vs India in 2017
Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Twitter)
In 2017, Australia toured India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and this time, their skipper was Steven Smith. The visitors dominated the Virat Kohli-led Indian side in the first Test held in Pune and registered a colossal 333-run triumph comfortably. Steve O’Keefe, who picked up 12 wickets in the game, became the Player of the Match.
On one side, Keefe played his part excellently with his disciplined bowling while captain Smith led the team from the front with his magnificent batting. After folding India on 105, Australia were in the commanding position. Taking advantage of the Indian team’s frail condition, Smith stepped up and took India’s bowling unit to the cleaners in the second innings.
Riding high on his fabulous 109-run knock, Australia succeeded in providing a massive target of 441 runs to Kohli and his men. The veteran’s knock boosted the confidence of the Aussie bowlers to wrap up India on a mere 107 and clinch a huge win.
3. 192 vs India in 2014
Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Twitter)
During India’s tour of Australia in 2014 for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2014-15, the hosts won their first two matches and were in a dominating position in the competition. In the third game, both teams locked horns at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) but this time, the contest ended in a draw.
Indian cricket team fans remember this game as MS Dhoni’s last appearance in Tests while for Smith supporters, this match will be remembered for their star player’s scintillating 192-run innings. Smith, who was Australia’s skipper in the match, came out victorious during the toss and elected to bat first.
Chris Rogers and Shane Watson laid a strong foundation with their half-centuries and Smith became the highest contributor with his bat, smashing 192 runs to help Australia post 530 on the board. The sensational batting effort in this game is still Smith’s best Test knock against India.
2. 144 vs England in 2019
Steve Smith edgbaston. (Photo Source: Twitter)
In the 2019 Ashes, Steven Smith made a comeback in Test cricket after completing his one-year ban due to ball-tampering. Playing the opening Test at Edgbaston, he came heavily on England bowlers in the first innings and made his Test return special with his marvellous match-winning ton.
His century came at a time when top-order batters Cameron Bancroft, David Warner, and Usman Khawaja fell under pressure and gave their wickets easily in the initial overs of the match. After the disastrous start, Smith took the matter into his hands and notched up 144 runs that helped Australia conclude their first innings at a decent total of 284.
Emboldened Smith continued his assault on England bowlers in the second innings and this time, he scored 142 runs to shatter the hosts’ confidence. At the end of the contest, Australia hammered England by 251 runs and Smith became the Player of the Match for his exceptional knocks.
1. 215 vs England in 2015
Steve Smith 215 vs England in 2015 (At Lord’s, Ashes 2015) . (Photo Source: Twitter)
England gave a harsh welcome to Australia in the 2015 Ashes, handing a 169-run defeat to the visitors in the inaugural game at Sophia Gardens. After the embarrassing loss, Australia were under immense pressure and they were required to play fierce cricket in the next contest at Lord’s.
In the big game, the Australia skipper Michael Clarke won the toss and put his team to bat first. After Warner’s departure on 38, Smith came out to bat. Along with Chris Rogers, the Australia veteran ripped apart England’s bowling unit with his aggressive batting and built a 284-run stand.
Smith ended up his innings on 215 and riding on his remarkable batting, Australia amassed 566 runs in the first innings. The valiant knock from the Aussie batting maestro impacted England’s confidence negatively and Australia registered a humongous 405-run triumph in the contest. Smith also became the Player of the Match for displaying his batting brilliance.