Steve Smith at 100 - An illustrious career in numbers

The game of cricket has seen a generational talent every now and then, and Steve Smith is undoubtedly one of them. Starting his career as a leg spinner, Smith himself would have never imagined that he would be one of the most incredible Test batters in history. On the eve of his 100th Test, we take a look at his career in numbers so far:

The best from the rest

In 99 Tests, Smudge averages 59.6 while scoring 9113 runs. He is the only batter to score 9000+ runs before playing his 100th Test. Smith has scored 280 runs more than Brian Lara at the end of 99 Tests. 

The right-handed batter's average of 59.6 is also the best for any batter after playing 99 Tests. Adding more, he has 32 centuries to his name, again the most for a batter. 

All condition specialist

His average is at a staggering high because of his global success. Smith has played across ten countries in his Test career. The only country where his average drops is Bangladesh (29.75). In any case, he has played only two matches there while scoring 119 runs. 

He has scored over 150+ runs in the remaining nine countries at an average of 40+. Among batters who have scored 150+ runs at a single host nation, only Sachin Tendulkar has averaged 40+ in more countries than Smith. Younis Khan also has achieved this feat in nine different countries. 

Smith averages 55.6 in away/neutral conditions after scoring 4726 runs in 94 innings. Interestingly, the Aussie batter has more runs away from home than in Australia. Among batters who scored 1500+ runs in both conditions, he is one among four to average 55+ at home and away. Smudge has an equal share of centuries in both conditions (16 each) as a cherry on top. 

A peak that never came down

Smith's peak started in 2014 when he scored 1146 runs at an average of 81.8. In that year, he scored five hundreds. In his 25th Test, he scored a magnificent 192 against India (26 December). The knock took his average into the 50s for the first time in his career. From there on, he never looked back. His 24th Test is still the last time Smith averaged under 50.

For 75 consecutive matches, Smith now averages over 50. To emboss more, his average in the last 62 straight games is over 55. 

None of the top five runs scorers (Joe Root, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, David Warner & Kane Williamson) who are still active had a peak like Smith after 99 Tests. Between Match 22 and 77, Root maintained an average above 50 for 56 consecutive games. On the other hand, Kohli, from 61 to 99 (39 Tests), had an average above 50. Williamson is the only batter among the five to not have played 100 Tests yet. But he is on a 34-match streak. 

After breaching the 1000-run mark for the first time in 2014, Smith scored 1000+ runs in the following three years as well. Which meant he had 1000+ runs for four consecutive years. From 2001 to 2005, Matthew Hayden scored 1000+ runs each year, making him the only batter to achieve this feat for five successive years. Smith's streak of four is the second-best. 

Smith, in each of those four years, averaged 70+. No batter in Test history has scored 1000+ runs at an average of 70+ for four consecutive years. Hayden in 2002-03, Ponting in 2002-03, Kallis in 2004-05, and Kohli in 2016-17 averaged 70+ while scoring 1000+ runs in successive years.  

Smith smashed four or more centuries each year in that four-year span. Only two batters, Sunil Gavaskar from 1976 to 1979 and Smith from 2014 to 2017, scored four or more centuries in four consecutive years. 

Scoring hundreds at ease

In his Test career, Smith has scored 32 centuries, which is the most among active cricketers. He has a 50 to 100 conversion rate of 46.4%, which is not that great according to his standards. However, he has hit a century every 5.5 innings. Only Sir Don Bradman (2.8) has a better frequency among batters with 20+ centuries to their name.  

Can he join the club?

Root had a memorable 100th Test when he scored 218 against India in 2021. He became the first batter to hit a double-ton in the 100th Test. Later on, in 2022, against South Africa, Warner became the second batter to achieve the feat. 

Smith's career has been full of records. Can he add one more and become the third batter to hit a hundred in his milestone clash?