Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey
Steve Smith has produced another masterful knock, notching up his 36th Test century in a superb show in Galle. In very humid conditions, Smith provided another reminder of his prowess against spin, picking length and using his feet to great effect to drive Australia into an extremely strong position at the end of day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka.
Now, only four players – Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (45), Ricky Ponting (41) and Kumar Sangakkara (38) – have more Test centuries than Smith. Also, no player has more centuries after 206 innings, with Smith going level with Joe Root and Rahul Dravid in 36 and 48 fewer matches respectively.
The landmarks don’t end there. Smith now has the most Test runs in Asia of any Australian in history, going past Ricky Ponting’s 1,889. He also has the most centuries by an Australian in Asia, with seven out of his 18 away tons achieved on this continent. Also, Smith is one of five players who have batted 100 times in Tests to average 57 or more.
These are wonderful numbers for a wonderful player. Sri Lanka often looked helpless against him, with Nishan Peiris (and Joel Wilson) coming so close to dismissing the skipper, with one delivery missing the stumps by a whisker off Smith’s attempted drive. Other than that, Smith was in total control.
Smith played the anchor role as Alex Carey went on the charge. Australia’s keeper-batsman was superb in notching up his second Test hundred, finishing the day on 139* at a strike rate of 89.10. Not only was Carey strong on the sweep, but he was also excellent in front of square either side of the wicket, with Dhananjaya de Silva and his bowlers quickly running out of ideas.
Steve Smith notches up his 36th Test century: Fans and pundits praise Australia’s great batter
Steve Smith’s 36th Test hundred drew widespread reactions. His ability to score in different conditions was a common theme in the praise, with many fans believing this is why he should be considered the best Test batter of this generation.
Australia finished day two on a dominant 330/3, leading by 73, driven by Smith and Carey’s unbroken 239-run stand. The objective now for Australia is to bat well, bat once and seal the series 2-0. With Smith and Carey in such form, it almost seems inevitable.
