Ricky Ponting has once again weighed in on the long-standing debate regarding the best Test batter of the current generation, stating that it is "hard to argue" against Steve Smith given his sheer consistency and remarkable statistical achievements. While acknowledging the greatness of Virat Kohli, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson, Ponting emphasized that Smith’s career numbers, coupled with his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations, make a compelling case for him as the standout batter of this era.
Smith, who had experienced a slight dip in form in recent years, has made a resounding comeback, reaffirming his position at the top. During the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he silenced his critics with two crucial centuries against India, showcasing his ability to perform against world-class opposition. His form continued into Australia’s current tour of Sri Lanka, where he etched his name into the record books yet again. On Wednesday, January 29, in Galle, Smith reached another monumental milestone, crossing the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket while also registering his 35th Test hundred. His unbeaten 104 on Day 1 of the first Test helped Australia finish at 330 for 2, putting them in a commanding position early in the match.
Ponting, in a discussion with The Sydney Morning Herald, analyzed how Smith’s record stacks up against his closest competitors. While acknowledging the rise of Joe Root, who has amassed 19 centuries in the past four years, Ponting believes Smith’s long-standing dominance and exceptional conversion rate set him apart. He noted that five or six years ago, when the ‘Fab Four’—comprising Smith, Kohli, Root, and Williamson—emerged, Root was seen as being slightly behind the others due to his lower number of centuries. However, his resurgence in recent years has brought him back into the conversation.
"If you asked an Englishman, they'd say Joe Root, if you asked an Aussie, they'd say Steve Smith, and if you asked a Kiwi, they'd say Kane Williamson. So it’s a tough one, but on the numbers themselves, it's pretty hard to argue against what Smith has done," Ponting remarked.
Smith’s latest century places him among an elite group of cricketers, as he became the fifth-fastest batter to reach 10,000 Test runs, accomplishing the feat in just 205 innings. The only players to achieve this milestone in fewer innings are Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, and Ponting himself. Furthermore, Smith’s century also elevated him to 7th place on the all-time list for the most Test hundreds, surpassing some of cricket’s biggest legends.
With Smith continuing to rewrite record books and dominate Test cricket, the debate over the best batter of his generation remains alive. However, with his unwavering consistency, elite-level technique, and remarkable match-winning contributions, Ponting’s argument that Smith is the greatest of this era is only gaining more weight.
