- By Vishal Pushkar
- Thu, 29 Jun 2023 03:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
JE Sports Desk: Former Australian captain Steve Smith continued his rich batting form to score his 32nd test hundred for Australia. This is his 2nd test hundred at Lord's after he scored one in the year 2019. With this hundred, Smith has also equalled former Australia captain Steve Waugh's record of number of centuries (32).
Notably, Ricky Ponting has 41 tons in his entire test career - most by any Australian player.
Earlier on Day 1 of the 2nd test, the 34-year-old batter completed 15,000 international runs today. Out of the 41 batters to have done so to date, his current average of 49.67 is bettered only by India's stalwart batter Virat Kohli (53.44).
He also completed second fast 9,000 runs in 174 innings in the Test format. Former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara is on the top of the list by completing 9000 runs in Test with 172 innings. Current Indian head coach Rahul Dravid holds the third position by achieving the milestone in 176 innings. Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting are tied for the fourth position by achieving the milestone in 177 innings.
Although, Steve Smith is the fastest in terms of the number of matches taken (99), surpassing Lara, who had reached the mark in his 101st Test.
Coming to the match, Australia didn't have the best of start as they lost Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith early in the day. Currently, captain Pat Cummins is holding on to one end after losing Smith on 110 to Josh Tongue.