'Never seen anything like him': Aussie legend hands Steve Smith stunning praise

After 16 months in cricket’s wilderness, Steve Smith has struck back-to-back centuries in the first Ashes Test to remind the world why he might just be the greatest batsman of the modern era.

Steve Waugh has been working with the Australian team as a mentor and says he’s never seen anyone like him. This is Waugh’s fascinating insight into what makes Smith so effective, from Channel 9’s coverage of the Ashes.

I’ve never seen anything like Steve Smith. His preparation is amazing. He’s thorough and he hits more balls than I’ve ever seen anyone hit.

When he goes out to bat, it’s almost like he’s in a trance-like state. He knows exactly what he wants to do.

He knows the opposition and what they’re trying to do, how they’re trying to get him out, and he seems to have an answer for everything.

He’s an incredible player. His appetite for runs is second to none.

His technique is amazing; it’s unique but he knows what he’s doing. He knows how to score runs.

He analyses every ball and it’s like a computer, he spits out the answer.

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He can’t be a coach in the future either because you can’t actually tell people what he’s doing, it’s just so totally unique to him.

He knows his game amazingly well and the great thing about that is the other guys watch him and realise that if you’ve got confidence in your own game you can play differently, as long as it works for you. So don’t be afraid to back yourself and do it a little differently.

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