Steve Smith's remarkable innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in the ongoing fifth Ashes Test against England has etched his name further into cricket's record books. Smith's 37th Test century not only helped Australia gain a significant lead but also propelled him closer to Sir Don Bradman in the elusive company of Ashes legends and saw him surpass India's Rahul Dravid in the list of most Test hundreds.
Walking in to bat at number 5, Smith showcased his class and resilience, crafting a magnificent century that solidified Australia's dominance in the match. This was Smith's 13th Ashes hundred, positioning him second only to Bradman's monumental tally of 19. In the process, Smith also went past Jack Hobbs to become the second-leading run-getter in Ashes history. At the time of writing, Smith has 3,650 runs in 73 innings, with only Bradman ahead of him with 5,028 runs in just 63 innings.
The SCG has always been a happy hunting ground for Smith, and this innings was no exception. His love affair with the ground continued as he reached his century in 166 balls, decorated with 11 fours and a six. This was his first century of the 2025-26 Ashes series, and it came at a crucial time, with Australia already holding a 3-1 lead and looking to finish the series on a high.
In addition to his Ashes achievements, Smith's 37th Test hundred also saw him overtake Rahul Dravid in the list of most Test centuries. Smith now sits sixth on the all-time list, behind Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (45), Joe Root (41), Ricky Ponting (41), and Kumar Sangakkara (38). Smith reached his 37th Test ton in 219 innings compared to Tendulkar who achieved the feat in 220 innings. Ponting was the fastest to the milestone in 212 innings, followed by Sangakkara in 218 innings.
Smith's innings was a classic display of Test match batting, combining patience, control, and calculated aggression. He trusted his defense, punished loose deliveries, and rebuilt the innings after the dismissal of Travis Head, who had earlier scored a blistering 163. Smith's ability to perform under pressure and his consistency at the highest level have made him one of the greatest Test batsmen of the modern era.
Furthermore, Smith also went past Shubman Gill, Kane Williamson and Ben Stokes to become the fourth-highest run-scorer in WTC history at home. He has now scored 2,166 runs in 57 innings at an average of 46.08 with 10 fifties and six centuries to his credit. Only Joe Root (3,343 runs), Marnus Labuschagne (2,948 runs) and Travis Head (2,429 runs) are ahead of him.
As the day drew to a close at the SCG, Smith remained unbeaten on 129, steering Australia to 519/7 and a commanding lead of 134 runs. With Australia in a dominant position, Smith will be looking to continue his innings and further solidify his place among the legends of the game.
