Steve Smith: Profile of the Australian Cricket Player

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Steven Peter Devereux Smith, born on June 2, 1989, in Sydney, New South Wales, is widely regarded as one of the greatest Test batsmen of his generation and among the all-time cricketing greats. Standing 176 cm tall, Smith bats right-handed and bowls right-arm leg spin, though he is primarily known for his extraordinary batting prowess

Smith’s international career began in 2010, initially as a leg-spinning all-rounder. However, after an early phase marked by inconsistent performances and a brief drop from the national side, he reinvented himself as a specialist batsman. His breakthrough came in 2013 during Australia’s tour of India, where his exceptional ability to handle spin bowling earned him a permanent spot in the Test team. He made his maiden Test century at The Oval in 2013 and soon established himself as Australia’s premier batsman, often batting at number 3 or 4.

Smith’s leadership credentials include serving as Australia’s captain in all three formats and currently as vice-captain of the Test team since 2021. He led Australia to numerous significant victories, including the 2015 and 2023 ICC Cricket World Cups, the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, and the 2023 ICC World Test Championship. In January 2025, he was appointed Test captain for the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy against Sri Lanka.

Statistically, Smith has amassed over 10,000 Test runs with an impressive average above 56, including 36 Test centuries, placing him among the elite batsmen in cricket history. He has also scored 5,800 runs in ODIs and over 1,000 runs in T20 internationals. His unique batting style, characterized by unorthodox movements and sharp reflexes, makes him one of the toughest players to dismiss. Notably, in December 2017, he achieved an ICC Test batting rating of 947, the second-highest ever behind Don Bradman’s 961.

Smith’s career has had its challenges, including a one-year ban following the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, but he made a remarkable comeback during the 2019 Ashes series with back-to-back centuries, reaffirming his status as a dominant force in world cricket.

In 2025, Smith continues to perform at an elite level, averaging over 64 in Test matches this year, and remains a key figure in Australia’s cricketing setup. His recent milestones include becoming the first Australian to score 10,000 Test runs in Asia and surpassing Ricky Ponting’s record for most Test catches by an Australian.

Beyond international cricket, Smith has been a prominent player in the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing teams like Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals, accumulating over 2,400 runs in more than 100 matches.