Even the celebration of Steve Smith’s remarkable century was somewhat tense and fussy. The century itself was truly extraordinary, highlighted by Smith’s impeccably balanced cover drives that adorned his innings.
Smith’s cover drive is truly remarkable. It defies logic and should not be possible. As the ball is delivered, Smith contorts his body in the opposite direction, closing his left shoulder and gripping the bat tightly with his bottom hand, preparing for a default leg-side shot.
Smith’s innate understanding of batting timing and spatial awareness allows him to slow down time and anticipate the ball’s trajectory with ease. This mastery allows him to make minute adjustments in his grip, weight distribution, and forward momentum, resulting in a flawless, powerful swing. His follow-through features an exaggeratedly high elbow that only increased in height as the innings progressed, almost resembling a somersault as the ball weaved through the fielders at cover.
When Jimmy Anderson overpitched, Smith’s bat swung through, and he immediately removed his helmet, raising his arms in celebration while the crowd, previously booing him, reveled in his brilliance. Smith then proceeded to wave his bat in a deliberate manner, acknowledging all parts of the pavilion and the members’ stand, covering every possible spot with his bat-pointing. It was a celebration fitting for an innings that resembled a complex, giant-scale sudoku puzzle successfully solved.
Unfortunately, the cover drive eventually led to Smith’s dismissal shortly after the first drinks break. Reaching across and playing the ball outside his comfort zone, his hands flayed at a wide delivery from Josh Tongue, resulting in a low edge to Ben Duckett. Smith’s innings of 110 runs, accomplished in 184 balls, felt like an inevitability, a silent agreement between him and the fielders from the moment he stepped onto the field.
Australia’s first innings ended at 416 runs. Later on, Zak Crawley provided the most exuberant batting performance of the day, showcasing traditional shots with finesse under the sun at Lord’s. However, Smith’s century held greater significance for multiple reasons. First, the numbers speak volumes. This was his 32nd Test century, placing him second only to Ricky Ponting in Australia’s records.
Furthermore, there was a sense of circularity in Smith’s achievement. He made his Test debut on the same ground in 2010, where he batted at No. 7 and was touted as the next Shane Warne by observant reporters. In hindsight, that assessment wasn’t far off as Smith has proven to be a player of Bradmanesque caliber, despite his unconventional style that may baffle some. Doubters have been waiting for years for this to be a temporary phase or oversight, but Smith’s brilliance endures, defying all odds.
Form may waver, but Smith’s ability to skillfully clip the ball from under his eyes, bending the rules of leg before wicket, appears to be a permanent aspect of his game.
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Steve Smith’s latest century against England showcased his technique and shot-making prowess. This match at Lord’s holds special significance, as it may be his last appearance at this venue and possibly one of his final Test games overall. This ground has witnessed Smith’s exceptional performances in the past, including his unforgettable double hundred in 2015 and his determination to continue batting despite suffering from concussion during that infamous Jofra Archer spell four years ago.
The numbers behind Smith’s career are equally important and intriguing. Throughout his entire Test career, he has strived to maintain an average of over 60, and achieving this milestone has been a 12-year-long battle. Currently, he stands above the routine greats of his era, averaging over 60, but still a fair distance from the legendary Don Bradman. Smith now faces the daunting task of scoring 461 runs in his remaining seven innings of this series to reclaim that coveted average. This pursuit is not simply driven by a fascination with statistics but rather the yearning for greatness in late-stage Test cricket. Will there ever be another batsman who can master the game in the same way as Smith? As the traditional form of the game diminishes and yields to shorter series, this question gains more weight.
Smith’s recent century embodied his classic style, characterized by unique angles and spatial calculations. It’s a style of play that presents batting as a riddle to be solved through manipulation of variables such as ball trajectory and field placement. There’s a bittersweet note to this performance as Lord’s may not witness another batsman quite like Smith in the future. But then again, there has only ever been one Steve Smith, a player who defies expectations and stands alone in his greatness.
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