Steven

Smith

Steven Smith Biography and Career

Initially selected for Australia as a leg-spinning all-rounder, this player soon marked his place in the team as a top-order batsman because of his unorthodox batting style and exceptional skill on the cricket field. He is none other than Steven Smith, who is often referred to as "Smudge".

His unique batting style, which involves making exaggerated movements at the crease, has often been discussed among cricket pundits and fans. Despite his unconventional approach, Smith’s consistency and adaptability across formats have made him one of the most formidable batsmen in the world.

After his performances in domestic and first-class cricket, Smith was selected by the national team. He made his international debut on February 5, 2010, in a Twenty20 International (T20I) match against Pakistan in Melbourne. In the same month, he made his One Day International (ODI) debut against the West Indies and played his first Test against Pakistan on July 13, 2010.

While his initial years in international cricket were on and off, he truly started to shine after his performance in the 2013 Ashes series. He scored his first century against England and was not out at 138.

This was the year which caught the attention of his teammates and cricket experts that he is here to smash records with his bat.

With his continued performances, 2015 proved to be a landmark year for Smith. He scored 1,474 runs in Tests at an average of 73.70. This includes six centuries and five half-centuries and was also named ICC Test Player of the Year.

Smith's performance was well applauded during Australia’s 2015 ODI World Cup victory. He scored 402 runs, including a match-winning century in the semi-final against India. He also became the first player to hit five consecutive 50-plus scores.

By this time, Smith had proved himself as Australia's premier batsman and was appointed captain across all formats after Micheal Clarke's injury.

As captain, Smith led his team to new heights with his aggressive cricketing approach to the game. Under his leadership, Australia maintained strong records, especially in Test cricket.

His leadership peaked when Australia defeated England in the Ashes series (2017-18) at home by 4-0. Smith was the standout performer as he scored 687 runs at an average of 137.40, including three centuries with a highest score of 239.

While his career has seen various highs, including becoming the number one Test batsman in the world with over 10,000 runs and 36 centuries in Test cricket, he has also seen significant lows. In 2018, his captaincy was overshadowed due to the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, which eventually led to a one-year ban from cricket.

Despite the controversies, Smith’s captaincy left a lasting impact on Australian cricket. The year 2019 marked his return to the Australian team as a senior player and he continued to contribute significantly with the bat.

His performances in the 2019 Ashes series were widely praised, with many describing him as one of the greatest Test batsmen of his generation. He scored 774 runs, including three centuries in that series.

Smith's Indian Premier League (IPL) journey started in 2012 and has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by great performances, leadership roles, and a few setbacks.

He debuted with Pune Warriors India in 2012, but he really rose to prominence during his stint with Rajasthan Royals (RR). In 2014, RR bought the right-handed batsman for Rs 4 crore and soon became a dependable player for his team. His ability to play spin well and his calm demeanour under pressure made him a vital player in the middle order.

In the coming years, he was bought by Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) then again by RR and lastly by Delhi Capitals (DC). In 2017, Smith captained RPS to reach the IPL final. He even led RR to the playoffs in 2020.

Smith’s transformation from a leg-spinning all-rounder to a world-class batsman showcases his perseverance and determination towards the sport. While he faced challenges in securing his position on the team early in his career, his decision to focus on his batting proved to be a key moment in his journey.

Despite the controversies, Smith has earned back the respect of fans with his humility and performances.

Beyond Cricket

Beyond the ground, you will find Steven Smith spending time with his family and close friends. He is married to Dani Willis, and the couple often shares glimpses of their life on social media.

Smith is also an avid dog lover and has had multiple dogs over the years. In 2020, he lost one of his dogs named "Charlie". He posted a heartfelt post for his pet dog following his demise on Instagram.

Apart from cricket, Smith enjoys playing golf and tennis in his free time. He was also seen playing a friendly tennis match with Novak Djokovic ahead of the Australian Open in 2024.

He also likes music and on his social media, you can find him playing guitar and singing. Smith also expanded into business and is an angel investor and co-founder of the plant-based milk brand Oat Milk Goodness (OMG). He has also invested in companies like Bamboo, Tredish, and Cashrewards. 

Smith has also been associated with several brands such as Washington Freedom (a Major League Cricket team), crypto app Bamboo, and Trade360 Australia.

Records

Steven Smith Test Records

• Fastest to reach 7,000 runs in Tests (2019): Achieved in 126 innings breaking the record of English cricketer Wally Hammond, who reached in 131 innings.
• Fastest to reach 8,000 Test runs (2020): Achieved in 151 innings in a match against Pakistan, breaking Kumar Sangakkara’s record (152nd innings)
• 2nd batsman to score over 1,000 runs in Test cricket in four consecutive calendar years: Achieved this feat from 2014 to 2017.
• 2nd fastest to score 36 Test centuries in terms of innings: Achieved in 206 innings, behind Ricky Ponting (200 innings).
• 1st batsman to register ten successive scores of 50 or more against a single opponent: Achieved this feat in a Boxing Day Test against India.
• ICC Test Player of the Year award: Only player to win this award more than once.
• Most runs in a series: Scored 774 runs in the 2019 Ashes series against England.

Steven Smith ODI Records

• Most runs in a series: Scored 402 runs in the 2015 World Cup, including a 100+ score against India.
• Highest score: Scored 164 against New Zealand in 2016.

Steven Smith T20I Records

• Scored 1,008 runs at a strike rate of 125.09.

Steven Smith Overall International Records

• Fastest Australian batsman and 6th fastest batsman to reach 10,000 runs in International cricket: Set this record in a match against South Africa in 2018.
• Fastest Australian batsman to reach 14,000 runs in International cricket: Achieved this feat in 2024 in an ODI match against England.

Steven Smith World Cup Records

• Joint most consecutive 50+ scores in World Cup history with five such scores in the 2015 Cricket World Cup: Achieved this feat in a match against New Zealand.
• Joint most 50+ scores (four) in Cricket World Cup knockout matches: Achieved this feat during the 2019 ODI World Cup in a match against England.

Steven Smith IPL Records

• Highest score: 101 against Gujarat Lions in 2017.
• Most runs in a season: 472 runs in the 2017 IPL season.
• Captained Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiant, leading the latter to the 2017 IPL final.