Steve Smith overtakes Don Bradman, Garfield Sobers; beats Sachin Tendulkar but can't touch Virat Kohli's record

By Admin

12 Jun, 2025

Lord’s Witnesses Another Smith Special

On a day when bowlers dominated proceedings in the World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa, Steve Smith once again stood tall, scripting history at the revered Lord’s Cricket Ground. While 14 wickets fell on Day 1, the former Australian captain held his nerve and delivered a crucial knock of 66 off 112 balls, decorated with 10 boundaries. His resilient effort came after Australia found themselves reeling at 16 for 2, and eventually 67 for 4.

Climbing Past Legends

In the process, the 36-year-old right-hander surpassed cricketing greats Sir Don Bradman, Garfield Sobers, and Warren Bardsley to become the overseas batter with the most runs at Lord’s. Smith now has 591 runs in 10 innings across six matches at the iconic venue, averaging an impressive 59.10. His love affair with the Home of Cricket includes three fifties and two centuries, with a highest score of 215.

Before walking in to bat, Smith stood fourth among overseas batters with the most runs at Lord’s. By the time he was dismissed uncharacteristically nicking a part-time delivery from Aiden Markram he had claimed the top spot:

• Steve Smith – 591 runs
  
  

• Warren Bardsley – 575 runs
  
  

• Garfield Sobers – 571 runs
  
  

• Don Bradman – 551 runs
  
  

• Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 512 runs
  
  

• Dilip Vengsarkar – 508 runs
  
  

• Allan Border – 503 runs
  
  

Beating Tendulkar in ICC Knockouts

Smith’s gritty knock also etched his name in another elite list. This was his seventh fifty-plus score in ICC tournament knockout matches, nudging past India’s legend Sachin Tendulkar, who had six such scores across 15 matches. Tendulkar’s 682 runs in knockout stages came at an average of 48.71 and included one century and five fifties.

However, while Smith’s feat is remarkable, it still falls short of the towering record held by Virat Kohli, who remains the undisputed king of ICC knockouts. The Indian maestro has scored 1,024 runs in 22 matches at an average of 51.20, including a century and nine fifties ten fifty-plus scores in total with a best of 117 against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup semifinal.

Turning Point for Australia

Smith’s vital 79-run partnership with young all-rounder Beu Webster, who also hit a half-century, stabilized the innings for Australia. From a precarious 67/4, they lifted the team to 212. However, Kagiso Rabada’s lethal 5-wicket haul and Marco Jansen’s 3-wicket burst ensured Australia couldn’t stretch the score too far.

But Australia hit back hard. By Stumps on Day 1, Mitchell Starc (2/10), Josh Hazlewood (1/10), and Pat Cummins (1/14) had South Africa reeling at 43/4. Trailing by 169 runs, the Proteas had Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham at the crease, with a steep climb ahead.

Smith’s Reflections

Speaking post-day, Smith reflected with a hint of humor on his dismissal:
"Don’t nick the part-time off-spinner. Down the slope. I’m still trying to fathom how I’ve done that. But yeah, don’t do that."

On the pitch and what lies ahead, he added:
"Just play what’s in front of us. It might take a bit more spin as the game wears on. It's pretty dry. I think the bounce is going to be variable throughout the game, as we've seen already on day one."