Steve Smith: Assessing His Place Among Cricket's Greats
British sportsman England’s line of legendary batsmen has seen many greats including Hobbs, Bradman, Sobers, and Tendulkar. However, in the modern era, it is difficult to objectively place any batsman among the greatest of all time. While Steve Smith, currently considered one of the best batsmen in the game, may stand out in the current crop, his eventual ranking hinges on his career trajectory and legacy post-retirement.
The Greats of Cricket: A Historical Perspective
Cricket, a sport deeply ingrained in the fabric of many countries, has seen a plethora of exceptional players over the past 150 years. Besides the aforementioned greats, legends such as Denis Compton must not be overlooked. Despite his unorthodox techniques, Compton managed to maintain a high level of technical correctness, averagely scoring 70 in all forms of cricket over a remarkable 20,000 runs. He also amassed 60 centuries, a formidable 450 wickets, and had an average below 30.
Durably, Compton’s skills made him England’s greatest batsman after the World War II, from 1945 to 1950. In a single year, he scored an impressive 3900 runs, including 18 centuries and an average of over 94. He also contributed significantly to his club, Arsenal, where he played outside left for the team as a goal-scoring winger. Losing 6 of his best years due to the war did not diminish his contribution, as he ended up with 39,000 runs, 123 centuries, and an average over 50, with 650 wickets averaging 30.
One must note that the quality of Test and County cricket in those days was much higher than today. The level of all teams in Test cricket was consistently high, and County cricket was fiercely competitive. Reflecting back, it’s evident that the techniques and conditions of the game were quite different from what we see today.
Steve Smith: A Controversial Personality
Steve Smith, the current Australian captain, has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the sport. However, the scoring alone has not secured him a permanent place in the pantheon of cricketing greats. Behaviors during his career, including his involvement in the infamous 'sandpaper scandal' in 2018, have irrevocably damaged his reputation and tarnished his legacy.
The sandpaper incident was a significant blow to not just Smith's individual reputation but also to the image of Australian cricket and its international standing. This scandal overshadowed his otherwise stellar cricketing career. While his exceptional batting skills and contribution to Australia’s success cannot be denied, the ethical and professional conduct he displayed during and after the incident have brought him down from his pedestal.
A Future Evaluation
Therefore, a fair assessment of Steve Smith's place among cricket's greatest batsmen can only be done after his retirement. Until then, he is certainly a remarkable and talented player in the current era, but he faces significant hurdles to achieve greatness in the eyes of history.
The reception and the way future generations will remember him will largely depend on how he manages his post-retirement life and legacy. Cricket, as a sport that values not only individual performance but also the behavior and conduct of players, will continue to hold this morally weighty issue among the guys of all time.