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Steve Smith's stunning detail ahead of record breaking 100th test feat

The Aussie batter will make history when he steps onto the field at Headingley.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Steve Smith smiles with his player-of-the-match award and Smith thanks the crowd.
Steve Smith (pictured) will enter his 100th test match with the highest average of any player ever. (Getty Images)

Aussie Steve Smith is set to break cricket history in the third Ashes test becoming the player with the highest test average after 100 tests. Smith sits on 99 test matches and his 110 off 184 balls against England in the second test helps him achieve and incredible slice of history.

The mercurial batter will feature in his 100 test and averages a remarkable 59.56. That puts him ahead of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar with the highest average having reached the career benchmark.

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Other legendary names in the top six list include Jacque Kallis and Ricky Ponting. He will become just the 14th Australian to reach 100 matches. Smith knows the importance of the milestone at Headingley on Thursday and was thankful for his longevity in the game.

"The longevity I have had in the game and what I have been able to achieve across those 100, it's been a great journey," Smith said. "I have loved every moment of it. To walk out at Headingley for my 100th, I am extremely excited."

Incredibly, fans have been pointing out where Smith started in the Australian team ahead of his milestone match. The mercurial batter once entered the team as a leg-spinner that could bat.

He debuted in 2010 and batted at No.8 and 9 in his first test, before focusing on his batting. This saw him change his career direction and become one of the greatest batters of any era.

In a telling moment, Smith admitted that he didn't feel like he belonged at the top until scoring his fourth test match hundred against a world class South African bowling attack.

"I probably didn't feel like I could make it until my fourth hundred," Smith added. "They were tremendous bowlers. They had great careers. And to be able to score a hundred against them gave me a lot of confidence to know I belonged at this level.

"That was probably the first time I felt it. From there I was pretty confident in my ability. I knew what I wanted to do and how I wanted to play."

Steve Smith smiles during practice.
Steve Smith (pictured) is set to make history at Headingley. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Steve Smith eyeing Ashes series win in England

Australia retained the Ashes in 2019 when visiting England after a 2-2 draw in the exciting series. Smith has long wanted to become the first Australian team since 2001 to win the Ashes and said it would be exciting in his 100th game to seal the series.

"That's the goal," Smith said. "I have said it for a long time, it is something that has been on my bucket list to win an Ashes series in England.

"What a way to top it off, if I could do it in my 100th game. It would be special for sure."

with AAP

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