Steve Smith and Ricky Ponting in crazy statistic after 184 innings in Test cricket
The prolific batters are only separated by two runs at the same point in their Test careers.
Steve Smith and Ricky Ponting will go down as two of the all-time greats of Australian cricket. But a spooky statistic shows just how evenly-matched they are at the same point in their careers.
Smith was dismissed for 26 on Tuesday in the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, taking his career tally to 9422 runs at Test level after 184 innings. At the exact same point in his career, Ponting had just two runs more at 9424.
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Smith's runs have come at an average of 58.52, while Ponting was averaging 59.27 at the same point. Ponting went on to make 13,378 runs in his glittering Test career - the second-most of all-time behind Sachin Tendulkar - but his average dipped to 51.85 by the time he retired.
Smith has played 106 Tests and Ponting finished up on 168, but the chances of Smith playing as many matches in an attempt to pass Ponting's record appear slim. Smith has hinted that his retirement from Test cricket isn't too far away. "I really can't say how long I'll play for. I'm not sure," he said last summer.
"I'll take it one tour at a time, just enjoy it, enjoy training and trying to get better as well. Whilst I'm doing that, I'm happy playing but I don't know how long that'll last."
Smith has also seen his average drop from above 60 in recent times. He has endured a rather lean spell over the last 12 months compared to his lofty standards. He made 31 and 45 in the first Test in Perth after admitting he wasn't happy with how he has been batting.
"I don't have to reinvent the wheel," he said before the series. "I've performed at a high standard for a long period of time.
"I was probably below my standards of what I want. For me, it's about not overthinking it, not overplaying too much, not changing too much. Just going out and trusting what I do and doing it for longer periods of time, hopefully to get the big runs and hopefully help our team have success."
Wow - that’s an incredible stat, thanks AB!
— Peter Rich (@Gowoody) December 26, 2023
Two greats of cricket
— Koja (@Koja_hun_ywr) December 26, 2023
Impressive but not sure Smith faced the calibre of bowling…
— JF (@Foleyjake1) December 26, 2023
Always maintain ponting is best Aussie batsman since bradman
Can only rate smith once he has finished his career
For large part ponting was also averaging near 60
It’s the odi’s where ponting is decisively ahead of smith— omer (@realomerlatif) December 26, 2023
wow
— Saurav (@saurav_b16) December 26, 2023
Imagine what Smith could have been if CA didn't grandstand and hang him out to dry
— Billy Blacksman (@TallyWhak3r) December 26, 2023
David Warner calls on Aussies to lift in Boxing Day Test
Smith was one of a number of Aussie batters who struggled to score on Tuesday. His 26 came off 75 balls, while Marnus Labuschagne went to stumps unbeaten on 44 off 120 balls. David Warner made 38 off 83, while Usman Khawaja went for 42 off 101.
"We're in a pretty good position. We're going to have to bat well and set it up for our bowlers," Warner said after stumps.
"Anything with a four in front of it would be (a great score) but it's going to be probably another tough grind. If they bowl like they did today and have very good discipline, it's going to be a challenge. But that means we have to put the accelerator down if we're going to get to that total with (part of) a day lost (to rain)."
Warner said he expects the wicket to continue offering some encouragement to bowlers on day two. "The wicket looks good," he said. "If you put the ball in the right areas you probably challenge the bat a little bit more and get those nicks."
with AAP
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