Ashes 2023: "He'd Be The Second-Greatest Batsman Australia Have Produced After Don Bradman" - Ricky Ponting Lauds Steve Smith

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting heaped praise on Steve Smith, hailing him as the second-greatest batter to emerge from the Australian team. Ricky Ponting named the legendary Don Bradman as the greatest batter among the cricketers who played for the Australian cricket team.

Australia will take on England in the third match of the Ashes 2023 series at Headingley, Leeds, starting on Thursday, July 6. Steve Smith is set to make his 100th appearance in red-ball cricket during the third Test and become the 15th Australian cricketer to achieve the milestone.

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He’s Achieving Things So Quickly – Ricky Ponting

Speaking with Nasser Hussain for the Daily Mail, Ricky Ponting stated that Steve Smith’s remarkable achievements place him among the all-time greats of Australian cricket.

“If it all ended tomorrow he’d be the second-greatest batsman Australia have produced after Don Bradman. Statistically, you cannot argue with that. He’s achieving things so quickly,” Ponting said.

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Smith became the second-fastest player to reach 9,000 runs in Test cricket during the ongoing series. The ace batter amassed 9,113 runs in 99 Test matches with an impressive average of 59.56. The right-handed batter scored 32 centuries in the longer format of the game.

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I Wasn’t Happy With Them Being Friendly – Ricky Ponting

The World Cup-winning captain stated that the friendly nature between the players in recent times has been due to franchise cricket. Ponting highlighted that he wasn’t pleased with players being too friendly with each other on the field during his early days.

“I wasn’t happy with them being friendly when I played. You’re even talking to me now in the commentary box when you probably wouldn’t have done 10 years ago!” he continued.

Also read: Ashes 2023: “I Am Quite Looking Forward To It If I Do Get The Opportunity” – Todd Murphy On Playing His First Match In England

“Franchise cricket has changed a lot of the atmosphere between the teams because these guys have played in the same sides around the world,” he concluded.

The Ashes 2023 series has been filled with memorable incidents and competitive cricket. England Test head coach Brendon McCullum expressed disappointment with the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow and stated that it would require some time to share a drink with Australia team members.

Also read: Ashes 2023: “If He Had Just Looked Behind, To See What Alex Carey Was Up To There Would’ve Been No Issue” – Ian Bell On Jonny Bairstow’s Dismissal

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