The Ashes: Steve Smith writes his name in the record books

XtraTime Web Desk: Australian star batsman Steven Smith has written his name in the record books as he becomes the second-fastest batsman to register 25 centuries in Test cricket on Sunday.

He achieved the feat during the second innings of the first Ashes Test match against England. Smith recorded his 25th century in 119th innings and went past Indian skipper Virat Kohli who had achieved the feat in 127 innings. With this feat, Smith also became the fifth Australian batsman to register centuries in both innings of Ashes Test.

Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar achieved the milestone in his 130th Test innings.

However, Don Bradman’s record of 25 centuries in 68 innings remains unbeaten.

Smith’s second hundred in the match consolidated Australia’s position in the first of the five-Test series.

In the first innings, Australia managed to score 284 runs, owing to Smith’s knock of 144 runs. In response to Australia, England scored 374 runs, gaining a lead of 90 runs.

On Thursday, Smith became the second-fastest to register 24 Test centuries.

Smith also became just the fifth Australia batsman to score hundreds in both innings of an Ashes Test:

Warren Bardsley – 136 and 130 in The Oval (1909)


Arthur Morris – 122 and 124* in Adelaide (1946/47)

Steve Waugh – 108 and 116 in Manchester (1997)

Matthew Hayden – 197 and 103 in Brisbane (2002/03)

Steve Smith – 144 and 103* in Birmingham (2019)