Steve Smith: Profile of Australia’s Unorthodox Run-Machine

Steve Smith is one of the most distinctive batters in the modern game. His technique, with its shuffle across the crease, restless pre-delivery routine and unusual movements, looks nothing like the textbook, yet it has produced a run-scoring record that places him alongside the best Test batters of his generation.

Early life and rise

Smith was born in Sydney and first attracted attention as a leg-spinner who could bat a little. He made his international debut in 2010 and played his first Test at Lord’s against Pakistan that year. Initially picked as a bowling option, he gradually moved up the order and re-invented himself as a specialist batter, establishing himself in the Test side in the early 2010s.

Playing style

Smith is known for his concentration, hunger for big innings and the ability to score heavily off his pads and through the off side despite a seemingly awkward method. His shuffle takes him across to off stump, allowing him to clip balls to leg and still deal with the ball outside off. His focus and fitness have enabled him to produce long innings in a variety of conditions.

Career highlights

Smith captained Australia in Tests from 2015 and also led the limited-overs sides before the ball-tampering incident in Cape Town in March 2018, which led to a 12-month suspension. He returned for the 2019 World Cup and then produced a remarkable Ashes series in England later that year, scoring 774 runs in four Tests.

He has been part of several major trophy-winning Australian sides, including the 2015 ODI World Cup, the 2021 T20 World Cup, the 2023 World Test Championship final win at The Oval, where he made 121 against India, and the 2023 ODI World Cup. He has also been a regular presence in franchise cricket, appearing in the Indian Premier League for teams including Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals, and for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.

He has won the Allan Border Medal, Australia’s major annual cricket award, several times.

Legacy

Whatever the final tally, Smith’s Test batting average and century count place him among the greatest Australian batters. His recovery from the 2018 suspension and the success that followed are part of his story. His career is ongoing, so this profile makes no claims about his current form or status.

Frequently asked questions

Was Steve Smith originally a bowler?

He started out as a leg-spinning all-rounder before becoming a specialist batter.

Why was Steve Smith suspended in 2018?

He was banned for 12 months after the ball-tampering incident in the Cape Town Test against South Africa.

How many runs did Smith score in the 2019 Ashes?

He scored 774 runs in four Tests.