Ashes 2023: Steve Smith surpasses legendary Sir Don Bradman after a controversial run-out survival at The Oval

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Visiting batters with most Test runs at The Oval

Australia’s star batter Steve Smith was the lone warrior for Australia on Day 2 of the fifth Ashes 2023 Test at the Oval in London on Friday (July 28). Smith scored resilient 71 runs when all the other Aussie batters struggled to convert their start into a big score. In the process, the modern-day great also edged past legendary Sir Don Bradman in terms of most runs at the Oval by a visiting batter.

Smith now has 617 runs at the Oval, surpassing Bradman’s previous record of 553 runs at the venue. Smith earlier had also hammered a century against India at the same ground in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023.

Visiting batters with most Test runs at The Oval:

Steve Smith (Australia) – 617
Sir Don Bradman (Australia) – 553
Allan Border (Australia) – 478
Bruce Mitchell (South Africa) – 448
Rahul Dravid (India) – 443

Also READ: Michael Vaughan shares insights on James Anderson’s struggles in Ashes 2023

It is worth mentioning that Smith surpassed Bradman after surviving a controversial run-out that sparked a huge debate on social media. Although Smith had started walking back after seeing the first replay, the third umpire Nitin Menon declared the Aussie batter not out in the end.

Smith’s controversial run-out survival:

The bizarre incident took place in the 78th over of the innings when Smith attempted to steal a double against Chris Woakes with a shot to midwicket and, the substitute fielder George Ealham initiated a quick throw to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow. Despite Smith putting in a dive, he couldn’t reach the crease on time, and Bairstow successfully rattled the stumps with the former still short of the crease.

The decision went upstairs, and Smith was seen walking back to the pavilion with the English team celebrating. However, after watching multiple replays from different angles, the TV umpire ruled the Aussie batter not out.

The call by Menon was taken after coming to the conclusion that although Bairstow disturbed the stumps with Smith’s bat out of the crease, the bails came off only after the Aussie cricketer made his ground.

Here’s the video:

George Ealham 🤝 Gary Pratt
An incredible piece of fielding but not to be… 😔 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/yWcdV6ZAdH
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 28, 2023