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XtraTime Web Desk: Former Australian speedster Brett Lee recently picked compatriot Steve Smith over Virat Kohli as the greatest modern day batsman. According to Lee, Steve Smith had to come out on top after a tough time when he was banned from international cricket for a year for his involvement in the ball tampering scandal against South Africa during Cape Town test.

During a live instagram chat session with former Zimbabwe pacer Pommie Mbangwa, Lee was asked to pick between Smith and Kohli.
"Look, it is so hard to pick, there are so many qualities in both that I enjoy, from the bowling of point I am trying to look are there any flaws in both batsmen, both of these batsmen are genuine".

"Kohli is technically sound, he hits through the V, he used to knick off earlier in his career, but it is hard to do that now, he is a great leader of his side, I think he would love to win the IPL," he added.

The former Australian captain, since making his return to international cricket after serving a one year ban has grown from strength to strength. He helped Australia win the all important Ashes in 2019.
According to Lee, "Steve Smith has been through a lot in the last couple of years, he has seen a rise with the way he played in the last 12 months, he is so fidgety, sometimes you are like just relax mate.”

He added, "At the moment I would choose Smith over Kohli because of what he has been through and what he has to overcome, they are two great players, I think Smith can be as good as Don Bradman, there have been talks of him becoming just like Bradman looking at the numbers.”
Smith has recently overtaken Kohli at the top of ICC test rankings for batsmen.