Steve Smith continued his remarkable return to cricket with a 100 off 69 balls in the Sheffield Shield. This brilliant run of form has got the England team worried, with an Ashes series looming on the horizon. Smith, captaining New South Wales, put in an authoritative display himself as he smashed 118 from 158 deliveries. This unbelievable achievement showcased his offensive ability after missing six weeks of the season while serving a suspension back in New York.
Smith’s innings included a breathtaking 20 fours and one six. Those boundaries by themselves accounted for 86 of his 290 runs. The opener recorded his ton smashing the promising young bowler Tom Straker over long-on for a six. This remarkable accomplishment cements his legacy as one of Australia’s greatest ever Ashes historical batters behind the great Don Bradman.
The timing of Smith’s exceptional performance couldn’t be more important. The first Test of the men’s Ashes series is lurking just around the corner. His first Test ton is a truly emphatic display of everything he can do with bat in hand. It took him 22 balls before his opening run came. That lucky run came off a boundary, underlining how hard he has found it to get going in the game. He settled in almost immediately, cracking three fours in a row off James Bazley during the innings.
Smith certainly built enough momentum and his aggressive personality certainly came through. … Until he launched a huge six straight down the ground off Mitchell Swepson. He was out for 118, a score that put the wind up England big time. Beyond the runs, his performance has sparked debate about whether he is the best Test batsman of this decade. He’s got a terrific record against England, with an average of 56.01 and 12 career centuries against them.
Fans and cricket experts alike have marvelled at Smith’s extraordinary consistency. Their argument is that because his performance glows so much more than the rest of the Fab 4, it’s somehow better.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Steve Smith is back with a stunning century in domestic cricket—the GOAT has returned in style,” – a fan.
Here’s another fan who echoed this sentiment, “Steve Smith’s hundred today is exactly why he’s the greatest Test batsman of this decade. The other 3 members of the Fab 4 are doing great, but Smith’s level of consistency is honestly incomparable.
Smith’s century stood out even from the rest, given it was the former Test captain’s first Shield century in six years. His form will be a focus for selectors’ eyes towards the Ashes.
“First Shield ton in 6 years, off just 158 balls. Smith’s reminding everyone why he’s still the nightmare for bowlers ahead of Ashes 🔥,” said one enthusiast.
Andrew McDonald, Australia’s head coach, reflected on Smith’s innings and the message it sends ahead of the future.
“We will see how he pulls up and then we’ll make decisions moving forward,” – Andrew McDonald.
