On the 2nd Day of the second Ashes 2023 Test at Lord’s in London, cricket fans witnessed yet another awe-inspiring display of batting brilliance from Australia’s Steve Smith. The legendary batter scored a magnificent century, marking his 32nd Test hundred and matching the record set by former captain Steve Waugh for the most centuries by an Australian in Tests. Smith’s remarkable innings also saw him equal the second-highest number of hundreds in Ashes history.
Smith’s century against England not only helped Australia consolidate their position but also guided him to reach a significant milestone in his career as it was his 12th hundred in the Ashes series, and he joined an elite group of cricketers. With his 12th Ashes century, Smith now shares the record for the second most tons with Jack Hobbs in the iconic rivalry. Only the great Don Bradman remains ahead, with an astounding 19 centuries against England.
Smith’s remarkable achievements in England continue to add luster to his already illustrious career. Following the century, Smith now also boasts an impressive tally of eight hundreds on English soil, the second-highest by any player after the legendary Bradman, who amassed a staggering 11 centuries in England.
In addition to his century, Smith had achieved another significant milestone during his innings at Lord’s a day before. He became the second fastest player to reach the landmark of 9000 Test runs, achieving this feat in just 174 innings. Smith’s accomplishment places him in esteemed company, with only Kumar Sangakkara requiring fewer innings (172) to reach the milestone.
The sensational performance by Smith took the internet by storm, and many lauded the Aussie cricketer for his record-breaking ton. Some even hailed him as the best Test batter in history.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Death, Taxes & Smith scoring runs at Lords 💯 👏🏽👏🏽#Ashes
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) June 29, 2023
Epic. All time greatness. @stevesmith49 doing Steve Smith things 💯 👊🏼 #Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/qGWedRMch4
— Erin Holland (@erinvholland) June 29, 2023
If you make a green pitch, the Goat's bound to graze on it! #Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/VNbuuWq7eT
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 29, 2023
You bloody beauty smudge!! 💯 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) June 29, 2023
12 Hundreds vs England.
9 Hundreds vs India.
3 Hundreds vs West Indies.
2 Hundreds vs South Africa.
2 Hundreds vs New Zealand.
2 Hundreds vs Pakistan.
2 Hundreds vs Sri Lanka.32nd Test hundred for Steven Peter Devereux Smith, The GOAT of Test cricket. pic.twitter.com/7pyOpqhS8b
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 29, 2023
History – Steve Smith is the fastest to score 32 Hundreds in Test Cricket. pic.twitter.com/jxvTcLTda5
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 29, 2023
Running out of adjectives to describe this man. Steve Smith goes equal with Steve Waugh on 32 Test centuries, but the great Waugh played an extra 69 Tests. Amazing player with an amazing hunger for runs.#Ashes
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) June 29, 2023
32nd Test century for Steve Smith in 99 Matches, 174th innings
🏏 12th against England
🏏 8th in England
🏏 2nd at Lord's
🏏 2nd in Last 3 Matches#Ashes #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/ahU7UZp3Ng— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) June 29, 2023
Steve Smith
The GOAT
Nothing less.
He is the best. No one near him in this Era.
No shame in recognizing the true Great player. #Ashes2023
— Gaurav singh (@loggerheads24) June 29, 2023
Steve Smith's last 4 innings in Tests at Lord's:
•215(346).
•58(48).
•92(161).
•110(184).Looks ,Lords is one of his favourites of Smith 🤩🤩🤩🤩😍😍#Ashes2023 #Ashes23 #ENGvsAUS #stevesmith pic.twitter.com/O494vDS3Yu
— UMPIRE view (@Umpire_View) June 29, 2023
32nd hundred for Steve Smith in Test cricket.
What a player 👏👏👏#SteveSmith #Ashes #ENGvAUS #Ashes2023 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/pvDxbQ5eFC— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 29, 2023
32nd Test century for Steve Smith in 99 Matches, 174th innings
🏏 12th against England
🏏 8th in England
🏏 2nd at Lord's
🏏 2nd in Last 3 Matches#Ashes #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/ahU7UZp3Ng— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) June 29, 2023
Test is the best format of 🏏 & Steve Smith is the best batsman of it in this era! #Ashes2023 #Ashes #Ashes23 #AUSvsENG pic.twitter.com/ushZkJPgEy
— Adi (@aaditea_) June 29, 2023
Century for Steve Smith.
32nd century in 99 Tests.
Nearly a century every three tests. #TheAshes
— CJ Murrumbeena (@CJMurrumbeena) June 29, 2023
Most International Hundreds by active players:
•Virat Kohli – 75
•Joe Root – 46
•David Warner – 45
•Steve Smith – 44*
•Rohit Sharma – 43
•Kane Williamson – 41 pic.twitter.com/QdBAhfey7f— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 29, 2023
Steve Smith with another Hundred
G.O.A.T of the test cricket #Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/s4lqMFZjBy— Prototype X (@PrototypeA18) June 29, 2023
Test runs scoring machine Steve Smith 🏏
A well played Century 💯
What a brilliant Knock 👏
His 32th century in test match & his 12th against England
His 2nd at Lord's.#Ashes #Ashes23#Ashes2023#ENGvAUS#TestCricket #CricketTwitter #SteveSmith pic.twitter.com/wyC0hCjI88
— Rams (@JuliasMotaung) June 29, 2023
Brilliant from Steve Smith. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ebBdEMy5rj
— Dale Walker (@texy71) June 29, 2023
32nd test hundred for the great Steve Smith😭, he rules this format !!!! #Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/VCImkaxUZw
— ♱ (@anoopsssssx) June 29, 2023
Steve Smith is the best batter in the longest format. No debates about it.🙇#Ashes2023 #ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/2CefJn7wxa
— Talky Introvert (@TalkyIntrovert) June 29, 2023