Why is Steve Smith the best Test batsman in the world at present

Mumbai: The baby-faced cricketer has been a vital part of the Australian cricket team ever since the 2015 World Cup. He has gone on to perform splendidly for the Aussies in all the three formats. His splendid performance and steady mindset rewarded him with the captaincy of the national team.

The 2017 Ashes was where Steve Smith played some of the best knocks of his career. His best inning came in the 1st innings of the third Test. His score of 239 was one of the most vintage innings in today's cricket. He finished that series with a total of 687 runs, which included two centuries and a double century, at an average of 137.40. He was awarded the Compton-Miller Medal (Man of the series).

After serving a ban for the infamous sandpaper-gate scandal, he announced his return to Test cricket with a bang. In the ongoing Ashes tour, he is back at his phenomenal best when he struck twin centuries, 144 in first innings and 142 in second, to help his side register a thumping 251-run win against England in the first Test.

In the second Test, he once again steadied the ship for the Aussies by scoring 92 runs in the first innings. His duel with Jofra Archer in this test was worth-watching. But, due to a concussion suffered by a bouncer hitting his neck, he was substituted for the second innings and as a result, he couldn't come out to bat.

After the injury that forced him to sit out of the third match, Smith came back stronger and stunned the 24-year-old Barbados born bowler and his side to score 211, which put Australia on top at the end of day two.

Smith’s 211 ensured Australia went past 450 to post a daunting first innings total of 497/8. En route to his 200, the southpaw also broke multiple records.

After scoring his 26th Test ton, Steve Smith scripted history as he crossed legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar in an epic list topped by Australia’s greatest batsman Sir Don Bradman.

With his 26th century, the southpaw became the second-fastest cricketer in the history of the sport to hit 26 centuries in the longest format.

Smith toppled Tendulkar to reach the second spot. Smith achieved the feat in 121 innings while the ‘Master Blaster’ reached this milestone in 136 innings.

Also, His absence in the third Test was a major reason that Australia couldn’t win because the runs had dried up from their end. Smith’s replacement, Marcus Labuschagne, did very well to fit his spot, but no one supported him from the other end.

Steve Smith’s absence from just a single match highlighted just how much importance does the Sydney-born cricketer have for the Australian team. He is one of the best, if not the best, modern-day Test player to grace the Gentleman’s game and Australia are very lucky to have them in their squad.