Ashes 2017/18: Steven Smith Equals Gary Sobers' Record in Sydney Test

There is no doubt about the fact that with each passing day the Aussie skipper Steve Smith is becoming one of the greatest run scorers in the longest format of the game. Just as the shadow’s of the SCG’s floodlights crept in, Smith swiveled around the corner of the bowling of leg-spinner Mason Crane and picked up a single to complete 6,000 Test runs in the second-fewest innings ever in the history of Test cricket.

The unorthodox batsman now shares the landmark with Sir Gary Sobers who also reached 6,000 Test runs in 111 innings. The Aussie skipper Steve Smith acknowledged the ovation he received from the SCG crowd as he seemed certain to hold on to the 2^nd spot after reaching 103 on the Boxing Day Test. However, his declaration meant the match ended in a draw which left him 26 runs short of reaching the landmark in an unresponsive MCG wicket.

As with most of the records that Smith approaches or will approach in the recent years, his near competitor will be none other than Sir Don Bradman who is in the league of his own, a technical and statistical glitch that nobody will ever conquer. Comparing to Smith and Sobers’ 111 innings, Bradman reached 6,000 runs in a mere 68 Test innings, a staggering record considering the equipment he had in his disposal during the 1^st half of the 20^th century.

Smith also became the youngest Australian to reach the landmark of 6,000 Test runs at 27 years and 217 days. In the process, he broke the record of Ricky Ponting who achieved the feat in 29 years and 98 days. Only three other players have reached 6,000 Test runs at a younger age than Smith. The record is headed by Sachin Tendulkar who was only 26 years and 313 days when he reached the landmark while Alastair Cook and Graeme Smith are behind them who reached the feat when they were 27 years and 43 days and 27 years and 323 days respectively.

Former Australian World Cup winning skipper Steve Waugh is simply in awe of Steve Smith who is churning out records after records.

“He’s been incredible. He goes from strength to strength and whenever someone doubts him he comes out the next day and proves them wrong. He’s very adaptable and he learns quickly.

“He’s a really unique sort of batsman. He almost taunts the bowlers. I liken him to a matador in a bullring. He’s got that red rag out there and waving the bowlers to come and bowl here and then all of a sudden he’ll make it disappear and get them to bowl somewhere else. He really does frustrate the bowlers and tricks them into bowling to him where he wants the ball to come,” Waugh concluded.

Here’s the Newsfeed:

SA vs IND, 1st Test: Hosts Bat First, Jasprit Bumrah Debuts

IPL 2018: Steven Smith Excited After Being Retained by Rajasthan Royals