Is Steven Smith the best batsman you have ever seen?

[Mobashir]

I am watching cricket from around 1996. Haven't missed many matches over the years, especially test matches. I was a big fan of the great Australian team and was really hurt when I used to see Steven Smith in the Australian test team. Batting at 8, bowling some none dangerous leg breaks.

But what a long way this guy has come, hats off to him.

I was thinking is he the best batsman since I am watching cricket. Don't want to hear about Bradman in this thread because this will become a whole different debate. Comparing across different types of cricket.

From the time I am watching cricket the top 3 batsmen are probably Lara, Tendulkar and Ponting. I have personally always preferred batsman going after great bowlers, playing special knocks over consistent Batsmen. So my personal favorite 3 and those I consider the best from the last 3 generations are Viv, Lara and Kevin Pietersen (to a lesser extent).

But now, this guy, Steven Smith has taken modern day greatness to another level.
He seems to have nothing in his batting still he has everything in it: the Australian resiliance, the English grit, the west Indian flair, the Asian footwork against spinners.

Forget numbers, even if they are hard to forget in his case, but solely the fact to play that well in difficult conditions is unparalleled in recent times. To be there about every time your team needs you. Not only this series but many more. Especially that series in India where he scored 3 hundreds in very difficult conditions. The fact that Kohli under 10 proves how difficult it was. He has done it everywhere, against every one.

So, for me, if nothing disastrous happens to his batting in the coming years, I will rate him the best Batsmen of the last 30-40 years. Surely (even if I am sure of nothing with Steven Smith) at a moment in his career he will score lesser, average lesser. But even then what he has done is just out of this world.

We all have personal favorite players and it's hard for us to imagine that anybody can play better than them. But it's time to all acknowledge the fact that this guy, Steven Smith, is better than any other player we have seen.

[Bilal_103]

That double hundred after getting a concussion is very special. Steve Smith is definitely the best test batsmen of this generation imo. It's crazy to think he started his career as a leg spinner and was being hailed as the next Shane Warne.

[Mueez]

Yes he is.

It is a privilege to see him.

What a batsman.

Surely giving Bradman a tough time.

[James]

Personally for me, yes.

[Aman]

As a batsmen, no.

As a run scorer, yes. He is quickly cementing himself as the batsmen of this generation.

[Manunited18]

Nope, viv Richards and Brian Lara for me

[barah_admi]

I watched Viv in his pomp slaughter attacks.

I stood by as Lara made batting look so smooth I wondered if he would ever stop.

I saw the rise of that little teenage prodigy, Tendulkar, and wondered if anyone could score as many as he did.

I disliked and loved Ponting all at once, no man scored more runs than him in the first decade of the 21st century, no man since.

Smith must still tussle with his own peers, in particular Williamson in the test format, Root ad Kohli in the ODI format. Smith is not an all format batsman yet, the others I have mentioned were. He can not be the greatest without it.

[PakPremi]

No where near. Viv Richard's was the best I have seen and there is a atleast 20 more.

[Romali_rotti]

Smith is the best bat of his era but he just doesnt have that x factor of SRT at his peak.. SRT is the greatest for me..

[Chrish]

Early to tell but I definitely see tremendous potential..

Lot of things can happen from here. He can keep scoring these runs or even getting better. Conversely, his ability can go down with loss of hand-eye due to age. Ponting had a freakish peak where he was averaging 60+ for a prolonged period.

Smith's peak is even freakier than Ponting though.

[ishtiaq_ctg]

Bradmanesque. Just looks unoutable. We're probably looking at the 2nd best batsman after Bradman.(2nd best after bradman as far as stats are concerned)

[Chrish]

Smith is the best bat of his era but he just doesnt have that x factor of SRT at his peak.. SRT is the greatest for me..

Comon man.. How biased can you be? I mean give credit where it's due for once.

[IAJ]

Probabaly one of the ugliest in term of technique, but definately the most efficient!

[kingusama92]

Never got to see Viv, but Sachin (late 90s-early 2000s version), Kohli, and ABDV are the best batsmen I've ever seen (in terms of all formats). Although Ponting will always remain my favorite.

Smith is incredible and the best Test batsman of his generation but he's honestly very bad to watch. Zero for style points.

Plus, his attacking game is lacking.

[the Great Khan]

No..wouldn't last a minute against a 90''s Pakistan aus windies of the 80's..this is a time of mediocre bowling attacks and pie throwers..

[sweep_shot]

I started watching cricket from 1996 and I must say Smith is the best batsman I have seen in my lifetime.

His technique is not the best but his execution is the best I have seen. He is the only player who can probably get close to Bradman's average.

[jnaveen1980]

I have seen many guys going through crazy peaks. Alistair Cook, Graeme smith, Mike Hussey, Vengsarkar, Ponting, Moyo. This guy made use of his form more than others. He has scored more than 5000 runs in three countries. Australia, India, England. SL/UAE/BD not so great. SA also moderate. His form has lasted more than 4 years (excluding the banned year). I agree with some. I won't travel miles to watch him bat. Ugly to watch. For Australian fans he is pure gold.

[jnaveen1980]

I started watching cricket from 1996 and I must say Smith is the best batsman I have seen in my lifetime.

His technique is not the best but his execution is the best I have seen. He is the only player who can probably get close to Bradman's average.

He has to score a 200s, 300s for fun to get there.

[Romali_rotti]

Comon man.. How biased can you be? I mean give credit where it's due for once.

Gave credit where it is due; he is the greatest batsmen of his era. SRT is on another level, game was a lot harder, no review system, all time great bowlers, harder wickets etc. SRT is the greatest batsmen I have seen in my life, I have been saying this on here since wayyy before you even knew of this forum.

[sweep_shot]

He has to score a 200s, 300s for fun to get there.

Average of 65. Nobody in my lifetime had that type of average. He has done it after playing 60+ games.

[Chrish]

Gave credit where it is due; he is the greatest batsmen of his era. SRT is on another level, game was a lot harder, no review system, all time great bowlers, harder wickets etc. SRT is the greatest batsmen I have seen in my life, I have been saying this on here since wayyy before you even knew of this forum.

You do understand the lack of review system works both ways right? Bhumrah wouldn't have gotten hat-rick as batsman was given not out.

Actually almost every test side has from decent to lethal bowling attacks at home right now: Australia, SA, India, NZ, England etc. Overall, bowling quality is much more well-rounded currently than it was before where only few selected sides had strong bowling and rest were completely mediocre.

Smith was expected to fail in India where he averaged 150. He was then expected to fail after his ban and he came back with scoring tons in each inning. He then was expected to fail against Archer because presumably Archer got a wood over him and then he scores 200.

The bloke keeps winning game after game and series after series for his team. Remove Smith's runs from Australia's total and see what happens.

Saying things like "he doesn't have X-factor" makes it impossible to take anything from you seriously.

[tyron_woodley]

best
GOAT
greatest
of all time.

best player ever.

Far better than kohli is tests.

[tyron_woodley]

and also bowlers now are fitter stronger faster and more efficient.

fact.

don't accept it because you all are too deep in nostalgia.

[Aman]

Never got to see Viv, but Sachin (late 90s-early 2000s version), Kohli, and ABDV are the best batsmen I've ever seen (in terms of all formats). Although Ponting will always remain my favorite.

Smith is incredible and the best Test batsman of his generation but he's honestly very bad to watch. Zero for style points.

Plus, his attacking game is lacking.

Yeah, it's hard to consider him the best batsmen when he has a technique comparable to Trent Boult

[Darkrai]

Yes. He is the best batsman of this generation. Up to this point of his career, Smith is superior to players such as Sachin, Lara and Pointing, who are sometimes overrated.

[Joseph Gomes]

Smith is the best bat of his era but he just doesnt have that x factor of SRT at his peak.. SRT is the greatest for me..

What X factor? Smith is far more clutch than Tendulkar in tests. How many match winning scores does Tendulkar have away? Smith is the sole batsman in his team yet he destroys opposition all by himself.

[Joseph Gomes]

No..wouldn't last a minute against a 90''s Pakistan aus windies of the 80's..this is a time of mediocre bowling attacks and pie throwers..

Yet the current bowling average is the lowest since 1950s lol. Make up your mind, are the bowlers mediocre or batsmen? Or maybe it's your memory?

[King-Misbah]

Yet the current bowling average is the lowest since 1950s lol. Make up your mind, are the bowlers mediocre or batsmen? Or maybe it's your memory?

How are bowling averages lower? What cricket have you been watching? The 90s/2000s bowlers were much better then todays bowlers. For am example, in 2000s, there were many speedsters who bowled Express pace of over 95MPH consistently. To name a few: Shoaib, Lee, Bond and even Flintoff etc. No bowler in todays era can lace their shoes.

[Joseph Gomes]

How are bowling averages lower? What cricket have you been watching? The 90s/2000s bowlers were much better then todays bowlers. For am example, in 2000s, there were many speedsters who bowled Express pace of over 95MPH consistently. To name a few: Shoaib, Lee, Bond and even Flintoff etc. No bowler in todays era can lace their shoes.

Rabada has the lowest bowling strike rate in test history. Bumrah averages 19, Cummins averages 21, Abbas averages 18, Holder averages 18 for past 2 years. Or were you sleeping through all the batting collapse recently?

[King-Misbah]

Rabada has the lowest bowling strike rate in test history. Bumrah averages 19, Cummins averages 21, Abbas averages 18, Holder averages 18 for past 2 years. Or were you sleeping through all the batting collapse recently?

Most these bowlers have not even played over 20/25 tests yet so ofcourse they have the novety factor. Come back when they have played more. All in all, the bowling and batting standards have regressed.

[tyron_woodley]

How are bowling averages lower? What cricket have you been watching? The 90s/2000s bowlers were much better then todays bowlers. For am example, in 2000s, there were many speedsters who bowled Express pace of over 95MPH consistently. To name a few: Shoaib, Lee, Bond and even Flintoff etc. No bowler in todays era can lace their shoes.

bowlers are far better now. fitter stronger and faster. Also the only reason they could even bowl express pace is because they played less games. There was no t20. Lot of them played in very bowling friendly pitches too. There are helpful pitches now as well but no where near as many as back in early 90s and 2000s.

Bowlers are the best they have ever been right now.

People are just way too nostalgic.
Test cricket is real cricket. I don't care about past greats odi exploits or even world cup for the matter.

Obviously there will always be generational players who would be great in every era like wasim, waqar, ambrose, mcgrath etc.

But some of the bowlers right now are just as good and some have potential to be great like rabada, cummins, bumrah, boult, shaheen etc.

[Chief Destroyer]

As a batsmen, no.

As a run scorer, yes. He is quickly cementing himself as the batsmen of this generation.

What?

[moghul]

Viv Richards has been the best I have seen.

[jnaveen1980]

HE is enhanced version of Steve Waugh. Very hard to get them out when they decide to buckle down. If your team needs you in every single innings, you tend to get frustrated and get out. But every time he steps up. That quality of motivating himself to do it again and again is an example for all youngsters. He has worked out a method "not to get out". Somebody has to get creative or he has to lose his reflexes. Otherwise he will continue dominating in Test cricket.

[Mirpur express]

Currently the best test bat by a country mile

[Ab Fan]

I am watching cricket from around 1996. Haven't missed many matches over the years, especially test matches. I was a big fan of the great Australian team and was really hurt when I used to see Steven Smith in the Australian test team. Batting at 8, bowling some none dangerous leg breaks.

But what a long way this guy has come, hats off to him.

I was thinking is he the best batsman since I am watching cricket. Don't want to hear about Bradman in this thread because this will become a whole different debate. Comparing across different types of cricket.

From the time I am watching cricket the top 3 batsmen are probably Lara, Tendulkar and Ponting. I have personally always preferred batsman going after great bowlers, playing special knocks over consistent Batsmen. So my personal favorite 3 and those I consider the best from the last 3 generations are Viv, Lara and Kevin Pietersen (to a lesser extent).

But now, this guy, Steven Smith has taken modern day greatness to another level.
He seems to have nothing in his batting still he has everything in it: the Australian resiliance, the English grit, the west Indian flair, the Asian footwork against spinners.

Forget numbers, even if they are hard to forget in his case, but solely the fact to play that well in difficult conditions is unparalleled in recent times. To be there about every time your team needs you. Not only this series but many more. Especially that series in India where he scored 3 hundreds in very difficult conditions. The fact that Kohli under 10 proves how difficult it was. He has done it everywhere, against every one.

So, for me, if nothing disastrous happens to his batting in the coming years, I will rate him the best Batsmen of the last 30-40 years. Surely (even if I am sure of nothing with Steven Smith) at a moment in his career he will score lesser, average lesser. But even then what he has done is just out of this world.

We all have personal favorite players and it's hard for us to imagine that anybody can play better than them. But it's time to all acknowledge the fact that this guy, Steven Smith, is better than any other player we have seen.

He is the greatest test bat I have ever seen. His runs and impact on Australia's wins are quite easily distinguish-able to other batsmen of his era as far as test cricket is concerned.

He may decline later and his career AVG will get dropped to less than 60 but he already has an impact and legacy which none can match in this format of the game.

[JaDed]

Most determined test batsmen yeah..

[Aman]

What?

Taking everything into account, he's not the best batsmen I've seen.

He's cementing himself as the best batsmen of his generation ahead of Kohli, who has his own flaws.

[Chief Destroyer]

Taking everything into account, he's not the best batsmen I've seen.

He's cementing himself as the best batsmen of his generation ahead of Kohli, who has his own flaws.

You mean all formats?

[Aman]

You mean all formats?

Yes.

[Justcrazy]

Best test Batsman of this era.

[Nikhil_cric]

Most impactful test batsman I've seen. What remains to be seen is how long he can sustain this. Remember, ponting had a monster peak between 1999-2006 and then his batting fell off rapidly.

[Joseph Gomes]

Most impactful test batsman I've seen. What remains to be seen is how long he can sustain this. Remember, ponting had a monster peak between 1999-2006 and then his batting fell off rapidly.

Painting wasn't anywhere like this though. Dravid, Kallis, Sanga all averaged 58/59 in their peak as well. Smith is head and ahiulder's above his peers.

[Ab Fan]

Most impactful test batsman I've seen. What remains to be seen is how long he can sustain this. Remember, ponting had a monster peak between 1999-2006 and then his batting fell off rapidly.

Ponting, however, was not good in India and never dominated Ashes the way Smith is doing.

[Mamoon]

No, because I have seen dozens of better Limited Overs players who were also great in Tests.

However, purely in Test cricket, he is easily the best by some margin. I have never seen a more prolific, consistent batsman with such ridiculous powers of concentration.

I literally expect him to score a hundred every time he walks to the crease.

[delpiero10]

It’s been six years since Steve Smith scored his first test 100, in his 12th match, at The Oval in 2013.

From that match onwards, in 56 matches, he’s scored 6168 runs at 73.4.

He’s also now played exactly 100 innings from the start of that Oval test, and has scored 26 hundreds - a rate of under 4 innings per century.

Has there been anyone other than the Don that’s had a comparable 100 innings stretch of dominance? I’m pretty sure I already know the answer, but just wanted to check.

Also, apart from the ridiculous run scoring feats, the fact that he’s producing his best knocks against his team’s main rival, many times having to carry the entire batting lineup on his back, just adds to his greatness.

[Nikhil_cric]

Ponting, however, was not good in India and never dominated Ashes the way Smith is doing.

Smith hasn't done a whole lot in SA either has he? I remember him struggling against Rabada and getting knocked over by Steyn in '14. But yeah otherwise he's easily the best test batsman around

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

Smith hasn't done a whole lot in SA either has he? I remember him struggling against Rabada and getting knocked over by Steyn in '14. But yeah otherwise he's easily the best test batsman around

He was superb in SA in 2014 and made a great ton at centurion. Handled Steyn well, don't know where you're getting that he was getting knocked over.

[Ab Fan]

Smith hasn't done a whole lot in SA either has he? I remember him struggling against Rabada and getting knocked over by Steyn in '14. But yeah otherwise he's easily the best test batsman around

He has fared decently there. But Ponting was poor in INDIA. And Smith's performance in Ashes has been over-worldly.

[AAli98]

AB Devilliers is the greatest bat

[Sam99]

His runs are all most impactful for his team. Never seen him score soft runs in test cricket. Doesn't play alot cricket vs minnows like others as well. It's like his team needs him to score big in every innings and he does that job for them. We have seen how bad aus is without him last year.

[cricketjoshila]

Can anyone post his country wise avg?

[Nikhil_cric]

He was superb in SA in 2014 and made a great ton at centurion. Handled Steyn well, don't know where you're getting that he was getting knocked over.

Just from memory, I think Steyn got him in that spell of reverse in the 2nd test. Actually you're probably right. But he didn't do much on his tour last year I suppose.

[Ab Fan]

Can anyone post his country wise avg?

29 Vs BD, 40+ Vs SA, SL, Pak and rest is phenomenal as per any standards.

[andy0204]

Can anyone post his country wise avg?

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/eng...s;type=batting

[Abdullah719]

[the Great Khan]

Yet the current bowling average is the lowest since 1950s lol. Make up your mind, are the bowlers mediocre or batsmen? Or maybe it's your memory?

both are mediocre..the bolwers are pretty ordinary,,i see standard outswingers getting really mediocre batsmen out..hardly any real skill involved..hardly any reverse swing or real pace..its all pretty same same..

the batting is just dire..i mean everyone raves about Kohli smith and williamson but for me they are very good batsmen but not as good as people think. Smith would have been sent to the pavilion after facing five overs of wasim or waqar..alan donald would have destroyed him..any of the aussie bowlers would have eventually worn him down and worked him out..i hear alot about how awkward he is..well chanderpaul was awkward to bowl to arvinda and ranatunga were awkward, miandad was awkward..hell lara was awkward with that high backlift..

Im just tired of people suddenly jumping the gun and labelling somebody a great in an era where test cricket is very very mediocre..

He's good for this age but isnt an all timer in my opinion...

[Mobashir]

No, because I have seen dozens of better Limited Overs players who were also great in Tests.

However, purely in Test cricket, he is easily the best by some margin. I have never seen a more prolific, consistent batsman with such ridiculous powers of concentration.

I literally expect him to score a hundred every time he walks to the crease.

You can't compare Odi's greatness with test greatness, especially in recent times. Batting has become too easy and no team play their best bowlers in that format. To be the best you have to score against the best.

A prime example is Starc, he hasn't played ODI'S between world cup 15 and 19 and we just saw that he is the best bowler in the format.
Scoring runs in ODI bilaterals can be at best at the same level as scoring in Dull draw matches.

What has Smith done in test cricket, the main format of the game, is unparalleled. He has left behind the clutch players like Viv, Lara, KP and also the machines like SRT, Ponting, Sanga...

[Titan24]

He is surely the best test batsman I have seen. Havent seen anybody as consistent and with the ability to adapt to different conditions as manifested by his average of almost 65 now.

His contemporaries or the greats of previous decades are atleast 7-15 behind him in terms of average which is just extraordinary margin and is rarely seen even across the eras.

[as-95]

Everyone has a different definition of "best". For example, alot of Indians loved Tendulkar because he was a run machine but most neutral fans acknowledge that his runs were in vain as he preferred to chase records instead of chasing victories...

On the other hand, Steve Smith is a pure match winner. He is a man amongst boys in this Australian batting XI and is the only shining light for a team that continues to frustrate England. He has a phenomenal record and he is undoubtedly the best batsman I have ever seen as I was unable to witness Don Bradman in action...

[topspin]

He is by far the best test batsman I have seen in the last 20 years of following the sport. But whether he can maintain this monstrous average (well excess of 60) until the end of his career is the million dollar question.

Across formats he is not even the best batsman in this generation let alone all-time! Out of the current batsmen, Virat Kohli comes out on top and the stats below prove this:

Kohli

Tests - Averaging 53 @ SR of 57
ODIs - Averaging 60 @ SR of 93
T20Is - Averaging 49 @ SR of 136

International Tons: 68
International Half Centuries: 97

Smith

Tests - Averaging 63 @ SR of 56
ODIs - Averaging 41 @ SR of 86
T20Is - Averaging 21 @ SR of 122

International Tons: 33
International Half Centuries: 50

Note: Smith’s test stats doesn’t include his double hundred from today because it’s still an ongoing contest.

Kohli's tons and half centuries are both double of what Smith has achieved and has scored his runs at a far better tempo in white ball cricket. Across formats, the former has played in 330 innings for India, whilst the latter has batted in 249 innings for Australia, meaning Kohli has had 32% more batting opportunities than Smith, yet he has managed to double his international ton and half century tally.

Although Smith is head and shoulders above everyone in tests, he's nowhere close to Kohli in ODIs and he isn't even half as good as him in T20Is.

At present Kohli is the premier batsman in international cricket and I must admit even I thought this contest was settled, following his ban after Sandpaper Gate. However, if Smith can somehow maintain the 60+ test average and the gulf between him and his Indian counterpart in red ball cricket, and go on to average 50 in ODIs, he can overtake Kohli and perhaps end his career as the greatest batsman of all time.

[Romali_rotti]

You do understand the lack of review system works both ways right? Bhumrah wouldn't have gotten hat-rick as batsman was given not out.

Ummm what ? Explain why you are bringing a bowler into a batsmen thread ? Oh right, deflection tactic, nice one. But NO, if you want to compare a bowler start a new thread, so I dismiss your above logic to dust.

Actually almost every test side has from decent to lethal bowling attacks at home right now: Australia, SA, India, NZ, England etc. Overall, bowling quality is much more well-rounded currently than it was before where only few selected sides had strong bowling and rest were completely mediocre.

lol Lethal bowling attack he says, none of these wannabe bowlers can be compared to bowlers, like; Donald, Pollock, Wasim, Warne, Mcgrath, Walsh, Ambrose, Muralithan, Kumble, Shane Bond then it goes to tier 2 bowlers like Flintoff, Brett Lee, Shoib Akhtar whom all would be destroying the stats which the current lot like Trent Boult and Rabada are putting out if they were playing today.. Cute but again, bad comparison.

Smith was expected to fail in India where he averaged 150. He was then expected to fail after his ban and he came back with scoring tons in each inning. He then was expected to fail against Archer because presumably Archer got a wood over him and then he scores 200.

Smith avgd 150 in INDIA ? I thought it was 60, 60 in India is atg average and credit where it is due, he is the greatest batsmen of this era. Sorry Kohli fans, I would pick Smith over Kohli regardless of Smith not being as complete as Kohli, but that's just my preference.

The bloke keeps winning game after game and series after series for his team. Remove Smith's runs from Australia's total and see what happens.

Well no kidding, I already said he was the greatest of his era.

Saying things like "he doesn't have X-factor" makes it impossible to take anything from you seriously.

Yep stand by what I said, Smith doesn't have the X-factor that SRT had, the goosebumps that pop up on your skin when SRT played some of those amazing strokes...Smith wouldve been worked out in no time had he been playing in SRT's era, during the 90's to mid 2000s especially

Bold...
....

[Romali_rotti]

. He then was expected to fail against Archer because presumably Archer got a wood over him and then he scores 200.

Forgot to address this, Archer had the wood over Smith ? said who ? Because he hit Smith on the head ? geez lol... You are comparing a bowler who has played like 2 test matches as a measure of some great comparison ? Its now hard to take what you say seriously....

[jnaveen1980]

Everyone has a different definition of "best". For example, alot of Indians loved Tendulkar because he was a run machine but most neutral fans acknowledge that his runs were in vain as he preferred to chase records instead of chasing victories...

On the other hand, Steve Smith is a pure match winner. He is a man amongst boys in this Australian batting XI and is the only shining light for a team that continues to frustrate England. He has a phenomenal record and he is undoubtedly the best batsman I have ever seen as I was unable to witness Don Bradman in action...

At the end of the day all great batsmen are accumulators. Without accumulation your name won't even come up for discussion.

[KohliKafan]

lol greatest batsman of all time? a joke. We should honestly stop literally anyone the greatest of all time. Even Kohli isnt the greatest of all time in lois & neither is smith in test matches. Lara used to score 300 for fun. Sachin has smacked centuries for fun in the past. Sanga , Hayden, Ponting & many more. All of them were the greatest batsmans in their specfic way.

[jnaveen1980]

lol greatest batsman of all time? a joke. We should honestly stop literally anyone the greatest of all time. Even Kohli isnt the greatest of all time in lois & neither is smith in test matches. Lara used to score 300 for fun. Sachin has smacked centuries for fun in the past. Sanga , Hayden, Ponting & many more. All of them were the greatest batsmans in their specfic way.

In terms of batsmanship there are many better than smith. Most of the time the difference lies in the absolute "peaks" they can achieve. For instance Kohli could have easily scored a couple of centuries with his ability. He is at his peak. He wasted the chance. That is where he is pulling ahead. But i agree in a larger context, few amazing series on the trot won't make him the greatest ever yet.

[Chrish]

So many idiotic things being observed:

Wouldn’t last 5 minutes against bowlers from my day

Doesn’t have X factor.

Has worse technique than Trent Boult.

Why do you morons even bother with watching/ posting about current cricketers if they are of low class? What’s even point of bothering about current Cricket?

[as-95]

lol greatest batsman of all time? a joke. We should honestly stop literally anyone the greatest of all time. Even Kohli isnt the greatest of all time in lois & neither is smith in test matches. Lara used to score 300 for fun. Sachin has smacked centuries for fun in the past. Sanga , Hayden, Ponting & many more. All of them were the greatest batsmans in their specfic way.

Brian Lara scored triple centuries for fun? He did it twice Get your facts right, kid... Brian Lara is undoubtedly a great Test cricketer and arguably third after Bradman and Steven Smith so I certainly appreciate him but he didn't "score triple centuries for fun"!

[Mobashir]

Brian Lara scored triple centuries for fun? He did it twice Get your facts right, kid... Brian Lara is undoubtedly a great Test cricketer and arguably third after Bradman and Steven Smith so I certainly appreciate him but he didn't "score triple centuries for fun"!

As a big BC lara fan I was also embarrassed by his "lara scored 300 for fun"!

[Mobashir]

Another gem of an innings not many batsman capable of playing.

Champion he is.

[Saj]

This guy shows that the coaching manual and technique are overrated. What's more important is how mentally tough you are and how well you can cope with pressure.

[Abid Z]

This guy shows that the coaching manual and technique are overrated. What's more important is how mentally tough you are and how well you can cope with pressure.

Saj is that a nod towards Fawad alam?

[jnaveen1980]

He is like Bradman in terms of dominating a series

[Dr_Bassim]

A lot of classic revisionism, insecurities and statistics in this thread to downplay Smith.

If your life was on the line and Smith had to make 50 to save you, would you choose Lara, Viv, Kohli, Tendulkar or Smith?

And deep down everyone knows.

All that blah about cricketers being mediocre now is for old gently fools who consider everything in current era overrated or are hung over by nostalgia.

[jeeteshssaxena]

Smith is the greatest batsman ever out of those who played real cricket.

All those who say that sachin was better are just biased,let alone run scoring smith has already played more impact innings than sachin ever did.

Secondly Viv richards wasnt even the best test batsman of the 80s ,smith is so much better.

Bradman played in an amateur era so cant be compared..

Lara ,Sachin,Ponyting,dravid,kallis were all great but smith is atleast a level above them.

[jeeteshssaxena]

Whats the hoopla around viv richards?
Great batsman ,yes but GOAT hell no.
Sachin,gavaskar,chapell,lara are all better than him ,hes not even amongst the top 3 windies batsman ever let alone GOAT.

[Gilly]

Whats the hoopla around viv richards?
Great batsman ,yes but GOAT hell no.
Sachin,gavaskar,chapell,lara are all better than him ,hes not even amongst the top 3 windies batsman ever let alone GOAT.

I dont know if you have watched Viv live jeeteshssaxena but as someone who has I can tell you there are not many batsmen who bring excitement to batting than Viv. I'm lucky enough to have watched test matches since the mid seventies and watched all the batsmen since. Viv had a swagger and aura that just elevated the game. He might not have the best average or the most runs but he was one in a trillion.

[Ahmed216]

Yes hes the best test batsman ive seen play,been watching since 97.
He has his own technique and style and he backs himself and adjusts beautifully to conditions throughout the world.
Ive never seen anyone dominate bowlers like he has .This ashes it looks like he gets out only when he wants to.
His hundred on a minefield in Pune was a masterclass in playing spin. The entire indian team were booked twice for 100 in same test match.

[Saj]

Saj is that a nod towards Fawad alam?

Not really.

Just an appreciation that unorthodox can work, even at the highest level.

[Abdullah719]

Steve Smith's incredible numbers in Test cricket this year:

Tests 3
Innings 5
Runs 671 (highest in 2019)
Highest score 211
Average 134.20
Hundreds 3
Fifties 2#Cricket #EngvAus pic.twitter.com/xu4I5bFxjT

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) September 8, 2019