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Smith ‘a genius’ after Ashes double ton: Ponting
SYDNEY, Sept 6, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Ricky Ponting, Australia’s greatest run-
scorer, hailed Steve Smith as “a genius” Friday after his Ashes double
hundred — an exploit his country’s media said was “Donald Bradman-like”.
Smith has taken his game to a new level since returning from a 12-month
ball-tampering ban this year, with his 211 in the fourth Test at Old Trafford
giving him an incredible batting average during the series of 147.25.
“You hear all sorts of words, ‘genius’ is one that comes to mind,” Ponting
told cricket.com.au when asked to sum up Smith’s knock, which put Australia
in a dominant position after two days.
“A remarkable innings again. It’s his application to what he does. He just
doesn’t make any mistakes. His concentration levels are obviously
unbelievably good.”
Even Ponting, one of cricket’s sharpest minds, struggled to think of how to
get him out. But he did have some advice.
“He’s only been out nine times lbw in his last 99 innings, so you know if
you’re bowling straight you’re not going to get him out,” he said.
“The one thing you have to do is try and challenge the outside of his bat.
He doesn’t miss it on the inside.”
Smith, who last week regained first place in the ICC Test batting rankings
ahead of India’s Virat Kohli, is increasingly being compared to legendary
countryman Bradman, widely considered Test cricket’s best ever.
Ponting pointed out that only Bradman had scored more centuries and double
centuries against England, and only Bradman had a higher batting average
(99.94) than Smith’s current 64.64.
“Even what Smithy is doing now is remarkable, to think how good Bradman
must have been to be a third again better than what Steve Smith’s doing at
the moment is ridiculous,” he said.
Australia’s media said the gap between the two men was constantly
narrowing.
“We’re at the point where Smith and Bradman can not only be used in the
same sentence but transposed,” said The Australian’s senior cricket writer,
Gideon Haigh.
The Sydney Daily Telegraph was equally effusive in its praise of Smith’s
batting, which has seen three centuries in four innings this series following
scores of 144 and 142. His worst knock was 92.
“Double ton confirms Smith’s greatness,” the tabloid said in its headline.
“His score of 211 was an innings beyond significance for the match alone,
it was one which took the batting genius beyond comparisons with anyone other
than Sir Donald Bradman,” it said.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0902 hrs