Steve Smith Archives

Matching Babar with Smith is almost like matching Smith with Kohli: Usman Khawaja

Australian batter Usman Khawaja heaped high praise on former Pakistan captain Babar Azam and termed him ‘the best batter in all three formats’ on par with Australia’s Steve Smith and India’s Virat Kohli.

In a recent interview, Usman Khawaja drew parallels between the upcoming clash of batting titans, Babar Azam and Steve Smith during the Test series between Pakistan and Australia.

“Babar Azam is one of the best batsmen in all three formats. Steve Smith is the greatest batsman of our era,” said Khawaja.

“When they both will be playing here in the Benaud-Qadir series, it would be exciting. Matching Babar with Smith is almost like matching Smith with Kohli.”

He commended Babar Azam’s ability to perform consistently both at home and overseas.

“One of the great things about Babar is he does not score only in Pakistan; he scores runs overseas as well. He has scored a hundred here in the past.”

Usman Khawaja also shared his thoughts on the last series played between Australia and Pakistan, highlighting the excellent spirit of cricket displayed during the Lahore Test encounter between Shaheen Shah Afridi and David Warner.

“The last series between Australia and Pakistan was an excellent series. It went very well on and off the field. Shaheen was bowling excellent in the Lahore test, and Warner was playing really well.”

“Even when Warner got out, he got pat on the shoulders with a smile on Shaheen’s face. It was the epitome of the spirit of cricket. That’s what Australians want; you play hard, and when the game is over, you are all good and mates off the field,” Khawaja remarked.

Expressing his admiration for the Pakistani team, Usman Khawaja praised their batting skills and the strength of their fast-bowling attack.

“Pakistan is one of the better teams in the world. They have good batting and always have great fast bowlers.”

“Looking at the past teams, I think this is the strongest Pakistan batting lineup coming over. Babar Azam is one of the best batsmen in the world. Imam ul Haq and Abdullah Shafique have scored a lot of runs. I am very excited about this challenge.”

Khawaja also acknowledged the challenge posed by Pakistan’s fast bowlers in Australian conditions.

“I think Shaheen Shah and Mitchell Starc, both are very fast bowlers, and both can bowl up to 145. We know Starc can swing the new ball. Shaheen has a very good wrist. He definitely swings the ball.”

“When it’s overcast in Australian conditions, if a fast bowler is swinging the ball, it makes our job as an opener a bit tough. This is what you rebel for, this is what you play for,” Khawaja concluded.

READ: Pakistan Test squad to reach Australia tomorrow

Kane Williamson reaches summit in ICC Test Batting Ranking

DUBAI: New Zealand’s all-format captain Kane Williamson got a fortunate push in the latest ICC Test Batting Rankings which propelled him to the summit.

Despite Kane Williamson reaching the supreme spot, Australia’s veteran Steve Smith is on the verge of regaining his place as the best Test batter in the world following a major shakeup in the Test Batting Rankings after a dramatic Lord’s Test.

Steve Smith scored his 32nd Test century in a Player of the Match performance in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s and it helped push the classy right-hander within one rating point of the top ranking in second place on the updated batter rankings.

England star Joe Root relinquishes the premier position following scores of 10 and 18 against Australia, with injured New Zealand veteran Kane Williamson sliding up one place to claim the top ranking just one rating point ahead of Smith.

It is the first time Kane Williamson has held the No.1 ranking since August 2021, with the Kiwi having first risen to the top back in November 2015.

Australia batters now occupy four of the top seven places on the Test batter rankings, with Marnus Labuschagne (third), Travis Head (fourth) and Usman Khawaja (seventh) all within striking distance of the No.1 spot ahead of the eagerly awaited third Ashes Test against England this week at Headingley.

Meanwhile, the shakeup also affected Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who descended in the Test Batting Rankings, slipping to the sixth position with 862 rating points.

In the Test Bowling Rankings, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins closed the gap with the top-ranked Ravichandran Ashwin by jumping two places to second overall on the latest Test rankings for bowlers, while teammate Mitchell Starc also gains two spots to rise to 14th.

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Pat Cummins backs Smith, Labuschagne to shine at Lord’s

Australia captain Pat Cummins has forecast a “big week” for leading batsmen Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the second Test against England at Lord’s.

Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne managed just 35 runs between them across four innings in the first Test at Edgbaston last week, yet Australia still won a thrilling encounter by two wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series.

This week will mark Steve Smith’s first match at Lord’s since he was felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer during the 2019 Ashes Test at the ground.

Marnus Labuschagne replaced Steve Smith as a concussion substitute and made 59, an innings that proved the launchpad for a run spree in Test cricket.

“I don’t think we played the complete game last week by a long shot,” Cummins said at Lord’s on Tuesday, on the eve of the second Test.

“I think that is one of the most pleasing things, that we weren’t at our best but still managed to get over the line. That is not always going to be the case.

“History would suggest Marnus and Smithy rarely miss out, so I am expecting a big week from them.”

Pat Cummins, unlike England, has yet to name his side, although he did reveal Mitchell Starc has been drafted into the squad, with the left-arm quick seemingly competing for a place in the final XI with fellow paceman Scott Boland.

“We will have another look at the wicket and make a final decision tomorrow,” said the skipper.

England, with the pitch at Lord’s showing a green tinge, have opted for an all-seam attack and have decided against selecting a specialist spinner — Moeen Ali suffered a finger injury at Edgbaston.

Fast bowler Josh Tongue, who made his Test debut against Ireland at Lord’s earlier this month, has been chosen in Moeen’s place, with England having the option of Joe Root’s occasional spin.

By contrast, Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is set to become the first specialist bowler to appear in 100 consecutive Tests, with the 35-year-old also in sight of the landmark figure of 500 Test wickets.

“I think it’s a testament not only to how good Nathan is in terms of longevity and fitness and form, but to be able to play 100 Tests means you are getting picked in all conditions,” said fast bowler Cummins.

He added: “I couldn’t imagine a side without Nath in there.

“I’ve seen they have gone with four quicks, which is probably as we expected after seeing Moeen’s injury last week, but I feel really lucky we’ve got Nathan.

“Hundredth consecutive Test match, (potentially) 500 Test wickets, it’s incredible all the milestones he keeps ticking off. This is a really special place in cricket but for Australia as well. We’ve had some success at this ground in recent years so yeah, a big one for the memory bank.”

READ: Wasim Akram believes Pakistan should play WC matches as scheduled

Smith calls Babar Azam, Shaheen challenge for Australia in home Tests

Veteran Test batter Steve Smith has spoken highly of Pakistan captain Babar Azam and star pacer Shaheen Afridi, calling them the players the home side must ‘look out for’ when Pakistan tour Australia later this year.

In a video shared by Cricket Australia, Steve Smith lauded the Pakistan skipper for his exceptional batting records and improvement over the years.

“Babar Azam is a wonderful player. In the last few years, he has got better and better. He is someone we have to look out for. He is dangerous, he makes big scores and he usually does it at a pretty good pace as well,” said Steve Smith.

Babar Azam is currently the fifth-ranked batter in the longest format, scoring 3696 runs in 47 Tests for Pakistan at an average of 48.6.

In the same breath, Steve Smith also praised the left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and warned that Australian batters had to be careful while facing him.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi, he came out here [Australia] last series. Since then, he’s got better and better. The ability to swing it back is obviously a big key for him so he’s certainly one we’ll have to look out for this year,” he said.

The right-hand batter also lauded the Pakistani cricket fans for coming out in numbers to support their team in every part of the world.

“Pakistan is such a proud cricketing nation. They have got supporters all around the world. Their fans come in numbers to watch the match which gives real excitement,” Steve Smith concluded.

Pakistan tour to Australia schedule

December 14-18: First Test, Perth Stadium

December 26-30: Second Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground

January 3-7: Third Test, Sydney Cricket Ground

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Smith to lead Australia in India ODIs, Warner returns

NEW DELHI: Steve Smith will lead Australia in the upcoming one-day international series against India as David Warner returns to the side after recovering from an elbow injury, selectors said Tuesday.

The three-match series beginning Friday will give the Australians more useful practice on local wickets ahead of the ODI World Cup in India later this year.

Smith will stand in for Pat Cummins, who returned home after leading Australia in the first two Test matches to care for his ailing mother who died last week.

The visitors lost the series 2-1 — the fourth straight defeat to India — with the last match in Ahmedabad ending in a draw on Monday.

Star batsman Warner played in the first two Tests but returned to Australia after a blow to the head and injuring his elbow.

He was due to rejoin the squad in Mumbai on Tuesday following “two final rehabilitation sessions on his elbow”, Cricket Australia said.

Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Sean Abbott, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Josh Inglis, Ashton Agar and Nathan Ellis — coming in for Jhye Richardson — arrived in India on Friday and trained in Ahmedabad.

Squad:

Steve Smith (capt), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

READ: Misbah, Afridi star as Asia Lions thrash Finch-led World Giants

Steve Smith stays Australia captain for final Test against India

Australia have confirmed that stand-in captain Steve Smith will continue to lead the visitors in the final Test against India in Ahmedabad.

Pat Cummins, who left India following the second Test in Delhi last month, will remain in Sydney to be with his mother Maria, who is in palliative care due to breast cancer.

In Cummin’s absence, Smith stood in as Australia skipper in Indore Test and led the team to their first win of the tour. Spinners, Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann, were on charge in the third Test when Australia defeated India by nine wickets inside three days.

With the win, Australia also secured a spot in the ICC World Test Championship Final, scheduled from June 7 to 11 at the Oval, London.

Although the outcome of the final match of the Border-Gavaskar Test series, starting from Thursday, will not affect Australia’s standing in the Test Championship, a draw or a loss, can impact India’s chances to qualify for the final.

Meanwhile, Cummins’ availability for the ODI leg of the India series, which begins on 17 March in Mumbai, is still unclear yet. He was appointed the ODI captain last year after Aaron Finch decided to step down.

Earlier, Australia confirmed one change to the ODI squad, with Nathan Ellis filling the void for the injured Jhye Richardson, who was ruled out due to hamstring issues.

Australia’s ODI squad for ODI series against India: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

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Steve Smith joins elusive list with back-to-back T20 centuries

SYDNEY: Sydney Sixers’ batter Steve Smith joined an elusive list of batters with back-to-back centuries in T20s following his unbeaten 125 against city-rivals Sydney Thunder in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 12.

Australia’s veteran batter Smith carried on his red-hot form in the ongoing BBL 12 to rack up another century in the ongoing extravaganza as he struck a scintillating century in the Sydney Smash on Saturday.

The right-handed batter went berserk against the Thunder’s bowlers as he amassed the triple figures in just 56 deliveries and remained unbeaten 125 off 66, laced with six fours and nine sixes.

Notably, Smith had displayed alike performance in his side’s fixture against Adelaide Strikers on Tuesday when he piled 101 off 56 balls.

Following his consecutive centuries, Smith became only the second batter to achieve the feat in Australia’s BBL after Ben McDermott.

Notably, he also became the 10th player overall to score back-to-back tons in T20 cricket.

Meanwhile, France’s Gustav McKeon is the only batter with back-to-back centuries in T20 Internationals.

It is pertinent to mention that Smith’s astounding knock powered the Sixers to accumulate 187/2 in their set of 20 overs in the Sydney Smash.

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Cummins out of 2nd West Indies Test, Smith to captain Australia

ADELAIDE: Steve Smith will captain Australia in the second Test against the West Indies after skipper Pat Cummins was ruled out due to injury Wednesday with Scott Boland replacing him.

The pace spearhead has been nursing a mild thigh problem and did not bowl on the last two days of the opening Test in Perth, which Australia won by 164 runs.

Cummins had expressed confidence in being fit for the second day-night Test in Adelaide that begins Thursday but has not recovered in time.

“Team medical staff commenced Cummins’ recovery in Adelaide but selectors deemed there was not sufficient time for the fast bowler to be fully fit for the match,” Cricket Australia said.

Cummins also missed last year’s Adelaide Test against England as a close Covid-19 contact, with vice-captain Smith standing in as skipper on that occasion as well.

Boland played in the Ashes campaign but was overlooked for successive overseas tours this year.

Australia play five Tests this summer, with three against South Africa after the West Indies, and face a huge 2023, with the Australian skipper on Sunday saying he was conscious that he has a lot of bowling ahead.

“It’s definitely part of the thought process the last few days. I don’t really want to turn a one-weeker into a three- or four-week injury and potentially miss the summer,” Cummins said.

He is expected to return for the opening Test against South Africa in Brisbane later this month.

Even without Cummins bowling in the West Indies’ second innings in Perth, Australia were too good, with Nathan Lyon shouldering the burden, ending with 6-128 despite the wicket offering little for spinners.

They head into this week’s clash with an ominous record in pink ball Tests, having won all nine they have contested — six of them at Adelaide Oval.

The West Indies have their own injury worries, with top-order batsman Nkrumah Bonner suffering a concussion in Perth. It is unclear whether he will be fit to play this week.

Their pace attack is also struggling, with Kyle Mayers (shoulder strain) unable to bowl in the Perth second innings while Kemar Roach limped off with a hamstring niggle, and Jayden Seales has been battling knee pain.

Anderson Phillip is the first-choice back-up bowler, but the uncapped Marquino Mindley could also play after arriving in Adelaide from his homeland on Tuesday as cover.

“You’ve still got to stay positive,” West Indies assistant coach Roddy Estwick told reporters.

“We are playing the best team in the world, and we just want to grind and fight and stay in the fight as long as possible.”

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‘Toughest thing to face’ Smith recalls reverse swing on Pakistan tour

MELBOURNE: Former Australian captain Steve Smith recalled the ferocious reverse swing of the Pakistani speedsters Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi, termed it as the ‘Toughest thing to face’.

In cricket.com.au podcast ‘The Unplayable’, Smith recalled the challenges he faced amid Australia’s historic tour of Pakistan and heaped praises on the swing bowling of Shaheen and Hasan.

“I was batting at stages where the ball was reversing quite big and I know as a batter coming in next, it’s probably the toughest thing to face a reversing ball on those kinds of wickets against some good bowlers in [Shaheen] Afridi and Hasan Ali,” Smith stated.

The right-handed batter further regretted his strategy on failing to convert his three fifties into centuries and admitted that he could’ve been a little more aggressive against the spin.

“I probably had three opportunities to get hundreds in Pakistan, I just didn’t quite convert them. I feel like my plans were in a pretty decent place, but I could’ve potentially been a bit more aggressive against the spin over there, and played a few more shots,” Smith shared.

“It took me some time to understand swing bowling in Pakistan. That’s why I wasn’t able to score centuries,” he maintained.

It is pertinent to mention here that Smith scored 226 runs at an average of 56.5 in four innings including three half-centuries. The right-handed batter, however, could not manage to amass the triple-figures in a high-scoring series.

The touring side of Australia defeated Pakistan in the three-match Test series 1-0 by winning the last Test in Lahore.

READ: Rodrigues, bowlers shine as India blunt Sri Lanka in a low-scoring thriller

PAK vs AUS: Steve Smith becomes fastest to 8000 runs in Test Cricket

LAHORE: Australia’s experienced batter Steve Smith has replaced Sri Lanka’s legendary batter Kumar Sangakkara to become the fastest batter to score 8,000 runs in Test cricket, here on Thursday.

Smith, 32, reached the exceptional milestone in the second innings of the ongoing third Test between Pakistan and Australia here. The right-handed batter took only 151 innings to achieve the milestone.

Smith has replaced Sangakkara as the fastest batter to the 8,000 Test runs, bettering the former’s 152 innings.

The list of the batters – fastest to 8,000 Test runs, features three Australian, three Indian, two West Indian, and only Pakistan batter Javed Miandad, who took 162 innings to achieve the milestone.

It is pertinent to mention here that Australia is currently in command of the third and deciding Test of the series as the touring side is leading by 325 runs against Pakistan.

READ: Australia’s white-ball squad reaches Pakistan for historic series