Ashes 2017/18: Allan Border Feels Steven Smith Must Continue the Way He’s Playing to Surpass Ricky Ponting

May 25, 2023 at 12:31 PM

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Ashes 2017/18: Allan Border Feels Steven Smith Must Continue the Way He’s Playing to Surpass Ricky Ponting

Australia took a 1-0 lead, as they defeated England by ten wickets in the first Test at the Gabba in Brisbane early on day five.

David Warner and Cameron Bancroft remained unbeaten while chasing a target of 170 in the second innings. Bancroft scored his maiden half-century on his debut Test match, whereas, Warner continued his good form at home, as he remained not out on 87.

Image Courtesy: Twitter

However, the highlight of the match was Australian skipper’s 21st Test century which he scored in the first innings. His innings is being counted as one of the most delicate Ashes knock, as the Aussies were under immense pressure in the innings having lost all their specialised batsmen.

Smith scored a brilliant century to give his side a 26 runs lead which eventually put the English batsmen under pressure and resulted in a batting collapse.

Ashes 2017-18, Steven Smith, Cameron Bancroft, Brisbane Test, Head-butt, Jonny Bairstow, Australia Vs England,
Smith has shouldered the responsibility by winning first Ashes as a skipper. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Many former and current cricketers praised Smith’s knock by saying he is on his way to becoming one of the Australian batting greats. Former Australian captain Allan Border went on to say, Smith must continue to play in this manner to go past Ricky Ponting.

Ponting, is regarded as one of the greatest Australian batsmen apart from the legendary Sir Donald Bradman. Border said,

“If Steve Smith continued to do what he’s doing, then, yeah sure. But it will have to be five years of that to go past Ricky Ponting for me.” 

Ricky Ponting. Image Courtesy: Web

Ponting who has 41 Test centuries to his name second, most after Sachin Tendulkar, who has 51 Test centuries to his name earlier said,

“Hopefully, it’s in danger, I’d love to see that. If he keeps going like he is, he’s going to catch me in four or five years. It’s well and truly in danger. What we’re seeing is potentially one of, if not the best batsman that the game has ever seen.” 

David Gower. Image Courtesy: Web

Former England captain David Gower compared Joe Roots and Steven Smith’s innings in the first Test and said,

“Root tried most things, indeed almost more than most things, and the simple truth is that Smith showed infinite patience, determination, and skill in making his slowest yet potentially most valuable ever test hundred, if someone plays that well then whatever you do as captain is just possibly not going to be enough,”

Also Read: (Ashes 2017/18: Ben Stokes Should Not be Allowed to Play the Ashes – Shane Watson)

(Ashes 2017/18: Pink Ball Will Favour England, Feels Ashes Legends)

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