Image Credit: BCCI
Smith tops Bradman and Sobers, beats Tendulkar at Lord’s
Australia’s premier batter Steve Smith added another milestone to his illustrious career on Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s. His composed innings of 66 not only helped Australia stabilise after early setbacks but also earned him the distinction of becoming the highest overseas run-scorer at the iconic venue.
Smith Breaks Lord’s Overseas Runs Record
Smith surpassed cricketing greats including Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, and Warren Bardsley in cumulative overseas runs at Lord’s. Batting with typical precision and grit, Smith’s 112-ball stay included 10 boundaries and marked his growing dominance at the spiritual home of cricket.
“He’s now the highest overseas scorer at Lord’s,” commentators noted, underscoring the significance of his achievement on a global stage where records carry historical weight. His latest feat also puts him ahead of Sachin Tendulkar’s tally at the venue, cementing Smith’s legacy in English conditions.
Surpasses Tendulkar, Trails Kohli’s Global Prowess
While Smith’s dominance at Lord’s is undeniable, comparisons with other legends were inevitable. “He has now overtaken the likes of Don Bradman and Garfield Sobers at Lord’s, and even edged past Sachin Tendulkar, but still lags behind Virat Kohli in total impact,” cricket analysts observed.
Virat Kohli’s global achievements, spanning centuries across continents and across all formats, remain unmatched. Smith may own Lord’s statistically, but Kohli’s consistency in ODIs, T20s, and Tests places him in a league of his own.
Modern Batting Legacy and Context
Smith’s innings came when Australia were reeling at 16 for 2, adding substance to the significance of his 66-run knock. It wasn’t just about records—it was about performance under pressure on cricket’s grandest Test stage. His technical mastery, especially against quality seam movement, reinforced his standing as one of the game’s most resilient Test batters.
This innings and the record it brought are expected to remain a high point of the WTC Final for Australia, especially if the match result goes their way. It also offers a renewed platform to debate the modern batting greats, with Smith and Kohli both leaving indelible but different footprints on the game.
