Steve Smith breaks cricket records with Ashes masterclass at Lord’s

Steve Smith has become the second fastest player ever reach 9,000 Test runs after taking control of the second Ashes Test against England at Lord’s as he nears his century. Australia faced a tricky proposition to bat first in overcast conditions at Lord’s, but David Warner and Usman Khawaja got off to a flying start.

And Australia never looked back as they piled on the runs to end the day at 5-339 in a dominant position heading into Day 2. Lots of questions asked For Smith, how he would recover After his Edgbaston performance, the mercurial Aussie showed why he is the best Test batsman of his generation by becoming the first person to score 9,000 runs in less than 100 Test matches.

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He reached the milestone just two innings after Kumar Sangakkara’s 172 innings. Smith ended up on 85 not out and looking for his 32nd Test century. Smith is just 15 short of Aussie cricket icon Steve Waugh’s 32 Test Centuries, and Ponting (41 Test tons) is the only Aussie on the all-time list.

The 34-year-old came to bat and settled into his rhythm early on. Averaging just under 60 throughout his Test career, Smith looked zoned out and left England no choice but to play their game as he made it to the end of the day unscathed.

Just like in the Test Championship final, Smith was paired with the explosive Travis Head to leave the hosts questioning their tactics on day one. David Warner, who looked solid in his 66 runs to open the innings, praised the duo’s impact on the day’s play. to play and pointed to Head’s counter-attack taking the game away from England in overcast conditions.

“He can take it out of you in that half hour,” Warner said. “A 100+ batting on that wicket is exceptional. He puts the pressure back on the bowling unit.

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“They bowled him pretty well first. The ball moved a little bit and then he responded. He just manages to hit them back or get on top of a ball that comes up slowly. He just finds a way .”

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Cricket fans are running out of superlatives for Smith as he continues to break records on the biggest stage. Smith is closing in on England legend Jack Hobbs’ record for second most Ashes runs, which would leave him second only to Sir Donald Bradman.

He also became only the fourth Australian ever to surpass 9,000 runs after legends Ponting, Allan Border and Steve Waugh.

Head appeared on the road to challenge Victor Trumper’s 95-ball century in 1902 as the fastest score by an Australian in England. But he was stumped late in the day trying to take on Joe Root when the main spinner who has become England’s best batter saw him coming.

Root (2-19) also claimed Cameron Green‘s wicket in the same game, caught at mid-on after an errant pull shot. Regardless, it was Australia Day in English conditions.

with AAP

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