Steven Smith

 Steven Peter Devereux Smith, a former Australian national player, was a British cricketer born June 2, 1989. The most famous wicket-taker is Smith who consistently scores runs in the Test game. Smith compares himself with Don Bradman despite having a remarkably high test bat average. However Smith initially played in Australia as a leg spinner in the upper arms, but later played in later seasons as a primary bat. In 2013 he was recalled to the Australian team after five matches and in 2015 he assumed the captaincy of Michael Clarke, after which he predominantly batted in the top 3 or 4.

Steven Smith is one of the most talented cricketers of the modern era. The Australian cricketer has amassed an impressive record in all formats of the game and is widely considered one of the greatest batsmen of his generation. In this article, we'll take a closer look at Steven Smith's early and personal life, playing style, debut and early international career, Australian captaincy, career-best performances, Indian Premier League, and Big Bash League.

Early and Personal Life:

Steven Smith was born on June 2, 1989, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He grew up in the suburb of Menai, located in the Sutherland Shire region of Sydney. From a young age, Smith showed an aptitude for sports, playing both cricket and tennis competitively. However, it was cricket that he ultimately decided to pursue as a career.

Smith attended Menai High School and later completed his secondary education at the Sydney Cricket Academy. He credits his success to his father, Peter Smith, who played a crucial role in his early development as a cricketer. Steven Smith is married to Dani Willis, and the couple got married in 2018.

Playing Style:

Steven Smith is a right-handed batsman and a part-time leg-spinner. He is known for his unorthodox batting style and has been compared to former Australian batsman, Steve Waugh. Smith is an excellent reader of the game, and his ability to analyze the opposition's strengths and weaknesses has helped him become one of the best batsmen in the world.

Smith is also known for his unique stance, where he stands with his back foot outside the crease, which helps him play the ball late and gives him more time to react to the delivery. He is also a brilliant fielder and has taken some spectacular catches in his career.

Debut and Early International Career:

Steven Smith made his international debut for Australia in a T20I against Pakistan in 2010. He made his ODI debut against the West Indies later that year. Smith struggled in the early stages of his career and was in and out of the Australian team for the next few years.

However, Smith's breakthrough came during the 2013-14 Ashes series in Australia. He scored 345 runs in the series, including two centuries, and was named the player of the series. This performance helped him establish himself as a regular in the Australian team.

Australian Captaincy:

In 2015, Steven Smith was appointed as the captain of the Australian cricket team in all formats of the game, replacing Michael Clarke. Under Smith's captaincy, Australia won the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, defeating New Zealand in the final.

Smith's captaincy was characterized by his aggressive and innovative approach. He was not afraid to make bold decisions, and his ability to lead from the front was highly praised by his teammates and fans alike.

Career Best Performances:

Steven Smith has had several outstanding performances throughout his career. His highest score in Test cricket is 239, which he scored against England in the 2017-18 Ashes series. Smith also holds the record for the most runs scored in a Test series by an Australian batsman, with 774 runs in the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.

In ODIs, Smith's highest score is 164, which he scored against New Zealand in 2016. He also has two ODI centuries to his name. Smith has also performed well in T20Is, with a highest score of 90 not out.

Indian Premier League:

Steven Smith has been a regular feature in the IPL since 2010 when he made his debut for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, it was in 2012 when Smith first made a mark in the IPL, playing for the now-defunct Pune Warriors India. He scored 362 runs in 15 matches at an average of 25.85, with the highest score of 47.

In 2018, Smith was picked up by the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL auction after the team's two-year suspension was lifted. However, he had a disappointing season, scoring only 319 runs in 15 matches at an average of 39.87, with a highest score of 79.

Big Bash League:

Steven Smith has also been a regular feature in the Big Bash League (BBL) since 2011 when he made his debut for the Sydney Sixers. He played for the Sixers for two seasons before moving to the Sydney Thunder in 2013. Smith played for the Thunder for two seasons before taking a break from the BBL in 2015 and 2016.

In 2017, Smith returned to the BBL, this time playing for the Sydney Sixers again. He had a decent season, scoring 293 runs in 10 matches at an average of 32.55, with a highest score of 84 not out. In 2018, Smith was picked up by the Comilla Victorians in the Bangladesh Premier League, where he played six matches and scored 67 runs.

Overall, Steven Smith has been a valuable addition to T20 franchises around the world, including the IPL and the BBL. His unorthodox batting style, coupled with his ability to read the game, has helped him become one of the most successful batsmen in T20 cricket. While he has had his ups and downs in both leagues, there is no doubt that Smith remains a key player for any team he plays for in the T20 format.