Michael Vaughan Declares Steve Smith the Top Modern Test Player

New Delhi, Jan 29 (NationPress) Former England captain Michael Vaughan praised Steve Smith, asserting that his remarkable achievement places him in a unique category, drawing comparisons to the legendary Don Bradman. This comes after the right-handed batter became just the fourth Australian to surpass 10,000 runs in Test cricket.

Smith reached this milestone during Australia’s first innings against Sri Lanka in the opening Test at Galle on Wednesday. He now joins the ranks of greats Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting, making him only the 15th cricketer globally to achieve this feat, highlighting his dominance in the longest format of the game.

“I would argue that he is the best modern-day Test match player. I think he is the best problem solver. He has a quirky technique, but he just seems to be able to pick the ball out of the bowler’s hand quicker than most. He has this amazing ability to study the field and work out what is on and what is not on any given day on a pitch,” Vaughan told Fox Cricket.

“If you look at his numbers, there are only a small few who have got close to being talked about like Don Bradman. And when you are in a conversation when the Don is involved, you know you are pretty good,” he added.

Smith’s milestone occurred in his 115th Test match, a journey that began in 2010 when he made his debut against Pakistan at Lord’s. Initially, Smith was seen primarily as a leg-spinner, batting lower down the order, where he picked up three wickets but only managed 13 runs. Over time, however, he transformed into one of the game's greatest batsmen, showcasing unmatched consistency and adaptability.

Former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist reflected on Smith’s evolution from a leg-spinner to a modern Test great.

“I think part of what is so amazing is how it started and how he got into the team at No. 8 or 9, bowling leg spin, when we were still searching for a replacement for Shane Warne. There were questions about whether he was going to be that option. That is what I find quite stunning about his career—how it started,” Gilchrist told Fox Cricket.

Since then, Smith has accumulated 34 Test centuries, ranking him seventh on the all-time list for most hundreds in Test cricket, equaling legends such as Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, Younis Khan, and Mahela Jayawardene.

A significant portion of his success has come against England and India, scoring more than 6,000 runs in 61 Tests against them. His ability to excel against top-quality opposition, especially in intense situations like the Ashes and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, further emphasizes his greatness. Smith has recorded 12 Test centuries against England and 11 against India, including two in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Former Indian coach and commentator Ravi Shastri also praised Smith’s adaptability and resilience throughout the years. “I’ve seen all these hundreds as a coach and as a broadcaster, and he’s a special player. His passion for the game is remarkable. What amazes me is how he’s willing to adapt to different conditions. He scored a hundred on a difficult pitch in India, which was special. Even when he’s not at his best, he finds ways to position himself to score runs,” Shastri said in an interview with Fox Cricket.

Shastri further highlighted how Smith has kept ahead of the game, despite opponents meticulously analyzing his technique over the years.

“When you’re around for that length of time, there are teams analyzing you, with video analysts scrutinizing every aspect of your technique. To still stay ahead of the curve—and maintain an average over 55—at the age of 35, while surpassing 10,000 runs is extraordinary. So I consider him a great player,” he added.