Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting reignited a long-standing debate about the best Test batter of this generation after Steve Smith completed 10,000 Test runs. Ricky Ponting mentioned Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson as the top contenders, excluding Virat Kohli from the discussion.
Steve Smith reached 10,000 Test runs with a single off Prabath Jayasuriya during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on January 29. He became the fourth Australian to achieve the feat, joining Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh. Smith went on to score his 35th Test century on the same day.
It’s Hard to Argue Against It – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting said that Steve Smith is the best batter of the current generation but added that Joe Root is a strong contender. He stated that Root’s performance in recent years has elevated him back into the conversation.
“Is he the best player of his generation? It’s hard to argue against it. Joe Root is the other one now, and [Kane] Williamson’s record is outstanding as well. Joe’s last couple of years have elevated him right back up there, I think,” Ponting was quoted from The Sydney Morning Herald.
Smith surpassed Sunil Gavaskar on the all-time run-scorers list during his unbeaten 104 on Day 1. He and Usman Khawaja (147*) built a 195-run stand, taking Australia to 330/2 before rain forced early stumps. Travis Head smashed a quick 50 off 35 balls. Khawaja also ended his 18-month century drought.
Joe Root Was Probably Down Near the Bottom Part of That – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting said that Joe Root was behind in the Fab Four a few years ago. However, he highlighted Root’s resurgence with 19 centuries in the past four years. Ponting said that opinions on the best batter vary by nationality but admitted that Smith’s achievements are difficult to dispute.
“Five or six years ago, when this big four emerged, with [Virat] Kohli being one of those as well, Joe was probably down near the bottom part of that because he hadn’t made the hundreds the other guys had made, but he’s made 19 hundreds in the past four years,” he added.
“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 he’s done,” said Ponting.
Virat Kohli Has Scored Only Three Centuries in the Last Four Years
Till 2020, Virat Kohli led the Fab Four in Test centuries with 27, ahead of Steve Smith (26), Kane Williamson (21), and Joe Root (17). However, the former India captain’s form dipped in recent years, managing only three centuries in the last four years.
The former England captain went on to score centuries consistently in the traditional format, adding 19 more tons during this period. Root now has 36 centuries to his total, more than Smith (35) and Williamson (33).
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