Steve Smith has begun the Australian summer with a bang by bringing up yet another double century in his test career against the West Indies at Perth today. He also levelled with the great Don Bradman of 29 test centuries.
He remained not out at 200 after facing 311 balls, which included 16 fours. Let’s take a look at how fans are reacting to another masterclass out on display by the Australian batter:
"I've changed a couple of things. My grip's a bit more open, I'm staying a bit more side on…"
An extended chat with Steve Smith after his 200* on Day 2 in Perth #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/eeVDtIl4zT
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 1, 2022
What about this Steve Smith bloke. Averages 60 across more than 80 Tests, becomes the fastest to 8k runs, then decides none of that is good enough. At 33, he remodels his technique, then makes 145* in Galle and now 100* in Perth in his first few attempts. Extraordinary #AUSvWI
— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) December 1, 2022
Watching Marnus labuschagne and Steve Smith bat has been like watching the finest machinery at work. They both average over 200 against the West Indies. #CLASS.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 1, 2022
Every minute I watch Steve Smith bat in Test cricket (even with his slightly altered technique now),I can't help but marvel at how well Indian bowlers bowled to him in the BGT.
As an Indian fan, we'll always be indebted to Bharat Arun for plotting those moments of brilliance.
— Akash Kumar Jha (@Akashkumarjha14) December 1, 2022
4th double hundred for Steve Smith at 93% batting control👏
— The Cricket Panda (@TheCricketPanda) December 1, 2022
Take a bow, Steve Smith 🙌 https://t.co/s7PNOXLbDs
— Shivani Shukla (@iShivani_Shukla) December 1, 2022
Steve Smith now has more Test centuries than Michael Clarke, Hashim Amla and Joe Root.
He equals Sir Donald Bradman on 29 Test centuries.#AUSvWI
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) December 1, 2022
🐐#AUSvWI #SteveSmith pic.twitter.com/EIlUOAe0pR
— Neil Mukherjee | #DankeSeb (@TreesFowlUtter) December 1, 2022
He can be the best Test batsman for sure. #stevesmith #AUSvsWI https://t.co/YiddXTz1mf
— Aishwary Gaonkar (@aishwary31) December 1, 2022
Class has 5 letters, So does Smith 🔥🔥
4th double hundred in tests👏👏
What a player🔥❤#stevesmith #AUSvsWI #AUSvsWI pic.twitter.com/ieqYuSUO0E— VIRAT KOHLI ARMY 🇮🇳 (@Asmylemalhotra) December 1, 2022
#SteveSmith
double century for Steve Smith @RickyPonting @MClarke23 @root66 @MichaelVaughan @bhogleharsha @sachin_rt @virendersehwag @imVkohli @GautamGambhir @sunnewstamil @sunnxt @ThanthiTV @ZeeTamilNews pic.twitter.com/qt2OgAlJXI— Vimal (@Vimal36387475) December 1, 2022
200!🔥💥 Take a bow 🙌 #SteveSmith #AUSvWI #GOAT𓃵 #cricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/5uc2yanT8y
— Manas sinha (@potterhead0531) December 1, 2022
@stevesmith49 what a man
what a cricketer
what a batsman🔥An unbeaten 200* (311) #AUSvWI #SteveSmith
— HM Rakin Al Hasan (@BeingHMrAAkin75) December 1, 2022
#stevesmith 🔥 pic.twitter.com/k1K4wIAlgl
— ᴊᴀɢᴅɪꜱʜ ꜱʜᴀʀᴍᴀ 🇮🇳 (@jagdish_ro45) December 1, 2022
#AUSvWI #SteveSmith 200 runs
Weldone Smith 👍 pic.twitter.com/agJFbl1NeE— Muhammad Hammad Shaikh (@HammadHD12) December 1, 2022
200 for Steve Smith!
His fourth in Test cricket.
One of the finest knocks played by him. #stevesmith #AUSvsWI #Smith pic.twitter.com/tYKixAYuIX— “HussainFaisal“ (@Hussain49200878) December 1, 2022
Steve Smith is already regarded as one of the greats to represent the country in the longest format alongside names like Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Don Bradman and Matthew Hayden. In his elusive test match career, he has scored 8361 runs with the highest score of 239.
He averages 61.48 and scores runs at a strike rate of 54.29 which includes 36 half-centuries and 29 centuries. Given that Australia has to play in India and defend the Ashes next year they hope for Smith to continue such form so that they have a glimmer of hope to contest for the World Test Championship final at the Oval in London next year.
Australia declare at 598/4 on Day 2 of 1st Test against the West Indies
Australia declared at 598-4 courtesy of the double centuries scored by Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. They scored 204 and 200* respectively. Both of them achieved this landmark today on Day 2 of the first of the two test matches against the West Indies.
Usman Khawaja and Travis Head both played helping hands. Head was one short off yet another Test century as he was dismissed by the opposition skipper Kraig Braithwaite on 99 whereas Khawaja scored 65 to stabilize the Aussies’ innings after Warner was cheaply dismissed.
The West Indies innings have already begun with Tangerine Chanderpaul and Kraig Braithwaite at the crease. The openers have gotten off to a decent by ensuring that they don’t lose any quick wickets while pursuing the mountain of runs oiled up by Australia.
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