Galle:
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes it’s difficult to dispute Steve Smith’s place as the finest batter of his era when looking purely at statistics. During the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka, Smith reached a monumental milestone just before lunch. A flick off spinner Prabath Jayasuriya towards mid-on allowed him to sprint for a single, taking his tally to an astonishing 10,000 Test runs.
With that, Smith joined an elite club of Australian cricket legends, including Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh, further cementing his legacy in the longest format of the game.
Acknowledging the historic achievement, Smith stood tall, soaking in the applause from the Australian fans present in Galle. As he raised his bat in celebration, the moment marked another remarkable chapter in his illustrious career.
Ponting, a legend himself, believes that with this milestone, Smith has strengthened his case as the greatest batter of his generation, outshining other members of cricket’s “Fab Four”—Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root.
“Is he the best of his generation? It’s a tough debate, but when you break down the numbers, it’s hard to argue against it,” Ponting shared in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald.
He further reflected on the evolution of Joe Root’s career: “A few years ago, among the Fab Four, Root probably trailed the others in terms of centuries. But in the past four years, he has added 19 hundreds to his name, bringing him right back into the conversation.”
A Milestone Achieved in Record Time
Smith’s journey to 10,000 Test runs has been nothing short of extraordinary. He reached the mark in just 205 innings, making him the fifth-fastest player in history to do so. Only legends Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, and Ponting himself have reached the milestone in fewer innings.
While many cricketers pile up runs on home turf, Smith has showcased his class in all conditions. His overseas record is a testament to his adaptability, with nearly half of his runs scored away from home at an impressive average of 53.
In 57 Tests played on foreign soil, he has amassed 5,084 runs at an average of 53.51, including 17 centuries and 22 half-centuries, with his highest score being 215.
Ponting acknowledges that the “greatest of his generation” debate will always be subjective. “An English fan would say Joe Root, an Aussie would pick Steve Smith, and a New Zealander would back Kane Williamson. But when you purely analyze the numbers, Smith’s achievements speak for themselves,” he concluded.
Later in the day, Smith went on to celebrate another significant milestone—his 35th Test century. A well-timed shot earned him three runs, adding yet another feather to his already decorated cap.