Former Test opener David Warner has thrown his support behind Steve Smith, predicting the Australian vice-captain will score “five centuries” against England in the upcoming Ashes series. Warner believes Smith is on track to cement his status as the best Australian batsman since Sir Donald Bradman. This bold prediction comes after Smith’s triumphant return to competitive cricket, where he scored a century for New South Wales against Queensland at the Gabba.
Smith, who took a brief hiatus at the start of the Sheffield Shield summer for a holiday in New York, marked his return by hitting 118 runs, including 20 boundaries and a six, in a 176-ball innings. His performance helped guide New South Wales to 5-349 at stumps on day two.
“If that man Steve Smith can score big runs this summer, they’ll be fine,” Warner told Fox Cricket. “If Smith gets on a roll and he starts scoring runs, it’s going to be a challenge for England.”
Smith’s Quest for Greatness
Warner’s confidence in Smith extends beyond the current series. When asked if Smith could finish his career as Australia’s second-best batter behind Bradman, Warner suggested that this summer’s Ashes campaign could be pivotal.
“I reckon he’s got five centuries in him,” Warner declared. “He only had one net session the other day and came out and scored a hundred today; that’s Steve Smith.”
Smith currently boasts 36 Test hundreds, just five shy of Australian legend Ricky Ponting’s national record of 41. Warner also speculated that Smith, who retired from One Day Internationals earlier this year, might continue his Test career until the 2027 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“The one thing missing from him is winning in India,” Warner noted. “He knows his body now, he knows what he’s capable of – if he wants to get to that Indian series, he will.”
Leadership and Adaptability
Indian cricket legend Ravi Shastri has also weighed in, suggesting that Smith’s captaincy could further enhance his performance. Smith, who will lead Australia in the absence of the injured Pat Cummins, has an impressive average of 112.28 in Ashes Tests as captain.
“What’s always amazed me about Steve is his ability to adapt to different conditions and improvise, even in the middle of a series, sometimes in the middle of an innings,” Shastri said. “Captaincy will get the best out of him, that’s for sure. He’ll be tuned on, absolutely.”
Warner echoed these sentiments, adding, “He’s still learning. If he’s still learning, god help everybody else.”
Historical Context and Future Prospects
The upcoming Ashes series, set to begin on November 21 at Perth Stadium, holds significant historical weight. The Ashes, one of cricket’s oldest and most celebrated rivalries, has seen many legendary performances over the years. Smith’s potential to join the ranks of cricketing greats like Bradman and Ponting adds an extra layer of intrigue to this year’s contest.
As Smith prepares to take on England, the cricketing world watches with bated breath. His ability to deliver under pressure and adapt to the challenges of captaincy will be crucial. Should he achieve the feats predicted by Warner, Smith could redefine his legacy and further solidify his place in cricket history.
The first Test will set the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating series. Fans and experts alike will be keenly observing Smith’s performance as he aims to lead Australia to Ashes glory and perhaps, in the process, etch his name alongside the legends of the game.
