Dunith Wellalage: Steve Smith Joins Elite Club
With his impressive fielding skills and batting prowess, Smith's career is a journey worth watching, especially as he gears up for the Champions Trophy 2025, leading Australia despite several key players being ruled out, a true mark of his leadership and cricketing genius.
Steve Smith's remarkable achievement of joining the 10,000-run club in Test cricket has sparked debate about his potential to become the best, with his name now etched alongside cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.
The 10,000-run club, consisting of 15 elite batsmen, has Smith as its 15th member and fourth Australian to achieve this milestone. Notably, he achieved this feat in his 205th innings, making him the fifth-fastest to reach the mark. His performance metrics, including strike rate, centuries per innings, and batting average, have been scrutinized to assess his standing among the top batsmen.
Comparing Smith to his fellow Australians, it's evident that each has had their unique journey. Allan Border was the most consistent, while Steve Waugh improved over time. Smith hit his peak around his 75th match, showcasing his rapid growth. In terms of batting positions, Smith has scored most of his runs at number four, a position where he seems to thrive.
Considering Smith's age and current form, projections suggest it will take him at least three to four years to surpass Ponting's total, though reaching Tendulkar's mark seems highly unlikely. Nonetheless, Smith has a chance to end his career with the best average in the club, a testament to his enduring talent and dedication to the sport.
As Smith continues to make waves in the cricketing world, his recent feat of surpassing Virat Kohli in outfield catches across formats underscores his multifaceted skills. Now positioned sixth on the list, Smith is not far behind legends like Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid, cementing his status as one of the most versatile players in the game.
