Smith’s SCG masterclass takes him closer to Don Bradman’s Ashes feats

Australia great Steve Smith added another glittering chapter to his Ashes legacy at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday, producing a sublime century that propelled him to second place behind the legendary Sir Don Bradman on both the Ashes run-scorers’ list and the centuries chart.

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

The former Australia captain went past Jack Hobbs’ longstanding tally of 3,636 runs to become the second-highest run-getter in Ashes history, now trailing only Bradman’s monumental 5,028 runs from 37 Tests. Smith also registered his 13th Ashes hundred, a feat bettered only by Bradman’s 19 centuries in the storied rivalry. He now sits clear of other greats on the list, including Hobbs (12), Steve Waugh (10), Wally Hammond (9) and David Gower (9).

The century was Smith’s 37th in Test cricket, a milestone that took him past Rahul Dravid’s 36 hundreds. He now stands among the most prolific century-makers in the format, behind only Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (45), Ricky Ponting (41), Joe Root (41) and Kumar Sangakkara (38), underlining his place among the modern greats of the game.