Cricket News ASHES 2023

'Undisputed GOAT' - Fans react as Steve Smith completes 15,000 runs in international cricket

Steve Smith completed 9000 test runs and 15000 international runs during his inning on day one of Lord's test.

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Steve Smith Steve Smith. Image Source: Twitter

Australia and England played in the second Test of the Ashes 2023 on Wednesday. Steve Smith reached the landmark of 15000 international runs in just 351 innings and became the second fastest Australian to reach the landmark behind Matthew Hayden. The exceptional test batter is the seventh fastest to reach the milestone behind the likes of Virat Kohli (333), Hashim Amla (336), Viv Richards(344), Matthew Hayden(347), Kane Williamson (348), and Joe Root (350) who reached the landmark.

The Australian batter looked in terrific touch against English bowlers on day one of the second Test of the Ashes. At one point in time, the unorthodox batter had raced away to 25(19) in no time and took the attack to the English bowlers. Thereby, Steve had put the pressure back on England. Smith remained unbeaten at the end of the day, having scored 85(149). The world number 6 looks all set for his 32nd test hundred and 44th in international cricket. 

Steve Smith surpasses the landmark of 9000 test runs 

The former Australian captain also reached another milestone earlier in his innings. Playing in his 99th test, the Australian test number 4 reached the milestone of 9000 test runs in just 174 innings, the second quickest to the milestone behind Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka, who got to the landmark in 172 innings. In the process, the world champion surpassed many greats like Brian Lara, Rahul Dravid, and Ricky Ponting and reached the milestone quicker than them. Smudge became only the fourth Australian batter to complete 9000 test runs after greats like Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting.  

The World Test championship winner is back among the runs after not having a great test with the bat in Edgbaston. Among the batters with 15000 international runs, only Virat Kohli has an average of 53.44 more than Steve Smith’s 49.67* after completing the milestone. Among the batters with 9000 or more test runs, Steve Smith’s average of 59.96* is the highest for a batter.   

Here’s how Twitter users reacted to the milestones reached by Steve Smith:

 

 

Steve Smith Australia vs England Ashes