Steve Smith: another legend in the making

The kid-faced, 25-year old Aussie had the world at his feet yet again when he compiled an unbeaten ton in his ODI captaincy debut, steering his team to the finals of the tri series preceding the mega event. He became the first ever batsman to score centuries in both test as well as ODI captaincy debut during the process.

For the young middle order batsman, it was a summer he would never forget. He was not only the highest run grocer in the series, but also set the world record for most runs in any test series between India and Australia beating Sir Donald Bradman who held the record for 65 years.

While Smith was introduced as a frontline leg spinner in 2010, batting at number 8, not even in the wildest dreams one would have imagined that he would be breaking records with many hoping him to be the next Shane Warne.

Between Warne’s retirement in 2007 and Smith’s debut, Australia filled the void a number of leg spinners. While Stuart Mcgill and Brad Hogg were already past their prime, others were far from international standards, smashing any hope of replacement for the iconic leg spinner. Unfortunately for Australian cricket, even Steve Smith wasn’t a good enough bowler failing to make the mark with his wrist spin. Following a string of poor performances, he too was replaced by another young spinner- Nathan Lyon.

Unlike other spinners, Smith was skilled with the bat, making to the team for Australia tour of India in 2013, which however, took a disastrous turn for the visitors. This time however, he was playing as a middle order batsman who could also bowl. A dramatic turning point as this was, he scored a brilliant 92 in the comeback game against a strong Indian spin attack of Ashwin, Jadeja and Ojha. He credited 2 centuries to his name in the 5-0 thrashing of England and proved to be a vital cog for the Australians, pulling them off trouble on both the occasions.

He has never looked back since then and has been enjoying a ride that has only been going up. The recent home series against India has given altogether a different dimension to his game and he is now being looked upon as a rising star.

Though Smith hasn’t relieved the Australian selectors of their most agonizing job of finding the next Shane Warne, he has given them more than they bargained for. He is an outstanding fielder, a prolific batsman and a capable leader: the qualities which might make him the next big Australian legend.

edited by Bhavna Rachuri