”Double Century Confirms Steve Smith’s Greatness” it was the headline in English newspaper on the early morning of Friday. The flamboyant batsman showed his class to put England fielders chasing the ball more often than not. The knock showed how determined Steve Smith to play for his country. Meanwhile, the former skipper Ricky Ponting is very impressed with Smith show.
Returning to action after almost three weeks since the brutal blow to his head at Lord’s, Smith once again resumed normalcy at Manchester. Unfazed by Stuart Broad’s warning of Jofra Archer bouncer barrage, Smith toppled his previous scores in the series to carve out a sensational 211.
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Since his return to Test cricket last month, Steve Smith’s scores read 144, 142, 92, 211. That’s 589 runs at an average of 147.25. The stat which is even more amazing is that Smith now leads the world in Test runs scored this calendar year. In fact, there is no other batsman, who is half good as him as far as the average is concerned.
Steve Smith doesn’t make any mistake – Ricky Ponting
Speaking of Steve Smith, Ricky Ponting showered words of praise on him. The former great, who is working with the team quoted that the concentration levels of Steve Smith are tough to crack. He also quoted that bowlers would ba barking a wrong tree if they bowl Smith on his pads. Ponting feels that bowling outside off would be the best plan to Smith.
“You hear all sorts of words, ‘genius’ is one that comes to mind,” Ponting told cricket.com.au. A remarkable inning again. It’s his application to what he does. Steve Smith just doesn’t make any mistakes. His concentration levels are obviously unbelievably good.”
“He’s only been out nine times lbw in his last 99 innings, so you know if you’re bowling straight you’re not going to get him out,” he said. The one thing you have to do is try and challenge the outside of his bat. He doesn’t miss it on the inside,” he added.
Resuming on 60 with the team score reading 170/3, Smith showed no signs of relenting although he was troubled on a few occasions by Jofra Archer to continue his prolific run-scoring. After escaping a scare when Jack Leach bowled a no-ball, Smith never looked back, as he finished a sensational double century.